Rashford told he will be 'main man' as Italian giants close in on Man Utd striker

AC Milan have reportedly made significant progress in their bid to secure Marcus Rashford on loan ahead of rival bidders.

Rashford, who publicly declared his desire for a "new challenge" last month, is actively seeking an exit from Old Trafford.

However, his £300,000-a-week wages and reluctance to consider offers from Saudi Arabia or Turkey have limited his options.

Negotiations between Rashford’s camp and Milan are said to be the most advanced, though West Ham have also expressed interest in being “kept informed” of his situation.

However, sources suggest the England international is more likely to join a top European side.

A potential hurdle for Milan is their unwillingness to cover more than half of Rashford’s wages. This financial limitation is expected to be a sticking point for any club, with Manchester United likely needing to subsidize part of his salary to facilitate a deal.

Milan have already taken action to make room for Rashford by pushing Noah Okafor towards a loan move to RB Leipzig.

According to Fabrizio Romano, Leipzig will cover Okafor’s salary, and the loan includes a buy-option clause worth €25–28 million based on various factors.

"EXCL: RB Leipzig and AC Milan have agreed on loan deal for Noah Okafor plus buy option clause worth over €25m. Loan with salary covered by Leipzig, buy option clause not mandatory," Romano confirmed on X.

Okafor’s exit opens up a spot in Milan’s squad, with Sky Sports reporting that Milan bosses have assured Rashford he would be “the main man” and that the team would be built around him if he joins.

Former Roma star Antonio Cassano has expressed his admiration for Rashford, calling him a “fantastic” player.

"We are talking about a fantastic player; I go crazy for him," Cassano said, as quoted by TuttoMercatoWeb. "One and a half years ago, not three or five, he had finished the season with 28 goals playing as an attacking winger.

"But something has broken at Manchester United, first with Ten Hag and especially with Amorim. The problem is that he earns €12m per season.

"Who can afford him in Italy? Nobody can. He would be fantastic for Milan and Juventus, but I don’t think he can join our league."

While financial concerns remain a barrier, Milan’s proactive moves suggest they are serious about bringing Rashford to San Siro.

With the January transfer window ticking down, the coming days will be crucial in determining whether Rashford finds his “new challenge” in Serie A.