Premier League rival makes shock bid to rival Milan for Man Utd's Marcus Rashford

West Ham United join hunt for Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford with AC Milan in pole position.

The Hammers, who announced Graham Potter as their new manager on Thursday, are grappling with a depleted forward line.

Captain and top scorer Jarrod Bowen is sidelined with a fractured foot and is not expected back for another five weeks. Meanwhile, Michail Antonio, who suffered a serious car accident last month, is out for the remainder of the season with a broken leg.

United are open to selling Rashford for £40 million, but a loan deal is also on the table, provided West Ham can meet United's demands.

A loan agreement would hinge on how much of Rashford’s £325,000-a-week wages West Ham would cover and the size of any potential obligation-to-buy fee.

Rashford’s contract runs until 2028 after being extended in 2023, further complicating negotiations.

While West Ham are keen, they face stiff competition from several European clubs.

Rashford’s agent and brother, Dwaine Maynard, has held discussions with Juventus, AC Milan, and Borussia Dortmund. He also met with Dortmund’s technical director Sven Mislintat.

AC Milan, one of Italy’s top clubs, has shown strong interest, and Serie A side Como has also emerged as a surprise suitor.

Managed by former Arsenal and Chelsea star Cesc Fabregas, Como has connections to Manchester United through former defender Raphael Varane, who recently joined the club’s board after retiring.

Tottenham Hotspur is another Premier League club monitoring Rashford’s situation. Spurs, despite being the league’s second-highest scorers, are eager to strengthen their attack to salvage their season.

In a candid interview last month, Rashford admitted he is ready for a "new challenge," describing his departure from Old Trafford as a matter of "when, not if."

The 27-year-old is determined to join a competitive club in a top league to regain his place in the England squad.

Rashford has already turned down three lucrative offers from Saudi Arabia, worth up to £35 million per year, signaling his desire to remain in a high-level competition.

United manager Ruben Amorim has sidelined Rashford since his substitute appearance against Nottingham Forest on December 7, restoring him only to the bench in last week’s 2-0 loss to Newcastle.

Explaining his decision to drop Rashford for the Manchester derby, Amorim said: "Selection. We try to evaluate everything: training, performance, game performance, engagement with teammates, pushing the teammates up.

"Everything is on the line when we analyze and try to choose the players."

While West Ham remain interested, the high costs involved make a deal unlikely without significant compromises from all parties.