Newcastle line up surprise swoop for “fantastic” United star, Wilcox is prepared to do business – report

The number of clubs interested in signing Marcus Rashford should FC Barcelona and Manchester United fail to strike a deal is growing by the day. The Magpies are circling In the Premier League, Arsenal, Aston Villa, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur have all been linked with moves for the 28-year-old if he returns to Old Trafford this month. Further afield, Bayern Munich have been floated as a suitor after losing out on Anthony Gordon to Barcelona – a £70 million move which has made Rashford’s prospect of remaining in Catalonia even more remote. But in an interesting twist, it has also caused another club to throw their hat into the ring for his services: Newcastle United. The Magpies are now accelerating plans to sign a left-winger to replace Gordon, with Lille forward Matias Fernandez-Pardo identified as a potential replacement, though the Red Devils are also said to be interested in the 21-year-old Belgian. As an alternative, the Daily Mirror reveals Newcastle are “keeping close tabs” on Rashford’s situation at the Camp Nou. If he was to become available, a cut-price deal would be of interest at St James’ Park. Rashford’s preference is clear Rashford is desperate to remain a Barcelona player next season – a decision Blaugrana boss Hansi Flick is also pushing for, after the “fantastic” England international returned 14 goals and 14 assists under his watch. But the Spanish giants, who successfully defended their La Liga title, are trying to “renegotiate the terms of the deal” struck with Manchester United last summer. A £26m buy-option, valid until June 15, was included, which Barca are trying to either drive the price down or agree another loan. United’s hierarchy are said to have become “exasperated” with negotiations, and are now “considering turning their backs on the Catalan outfit and selling the 28-year-old to someone else instead.” However, the report states that Rashford is “not interested” in a switch to Newcastle or Tottenham, instead preferring to join a top club if his Camp Nou dream comes to an end. United are “reluctant to sell” to a club like Arsenal, though there is growing acceptance that a permanent exit to a direct rival is a better option than the Wythenshawe native – and his £325,000 a week salary – returning to M16. Rashford’s refusal to entertain Tyneside as an option will be doubly frustrating for INEOS as both Sandro Tonali and Lewis Hall are high on the radar to bolster Michael Carrick’s squad this summer. If the forward were open to joining Eddie Howe’s side, it may have set up the prospect of using him as a makeweight for either target. But, as became customary during his final months at Old Trafford under Ruben Amorim, Rashford is simply refusing to play ball. Featured image Alex Caparros via Getty Images The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social Darragh Fox Darragh is an editor for The Peoples Person who spent three years learning about the Cold War at the University of Sheffield slowly realising football was by far the most interesting thing to write about. Amad’s first touch should be officially recognised as the eighth wonder of the world.