According to reports, Marcus Rashford has moved closer to leaving Manchester United as his agent has ‘flown’ to meet Serie A giants AC Milan.

Last month, Rashford clarified that he is “ready” to leave Man Utd as he feels it’s time for a new challenge away from Old Trafford.

The England international has been heavily criticised for his poor performances and attitude for Man Utd as his form has drastically declined since he scored 30 goals during the 2022/23 campaign.

Rashford is linked with several European sides since the January transfer window opened and Fabrizio Romano has picked out three clubs as potential destinations. 

Romano said: ‘Movements around Marcus Rashford have started as expected,’ he wrote. ‘Borussia Dortmund and AC Milan have both asked for conditions of the deal.

‘More contacts are planned, meanwhile, Galatasaray also approached Rashford this week but he’s prioritising other options in top 5 leagues now.’

READ: Six Man Utd certainties under Amorim after Liverpool include three exits, key quartet, £45m transfer

On Tuesday evening, a report from The Athletic revealed that Rashford’s agent- also his brother – travelled to meet with AC Milan’s representatives.

‘Marcus Rashford’s representatives have held exploratory talks with AC Milan about loaning the Manchester United forward in the January transfer window.

‘Dwaine Maynard, Rashford’s brother and agent, flew to Milan on Tuesday to hold discussions with recruitment staff at the Serie A side.’

‘Talks remain at a preliminary stage as Milan’s senior executive team were returning from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where the team fought back from 2-0 down to beat rivals Inter 3-2 in the Italian Super Cup.

‘Rashford’s salary, worth more than £325,000 a week, would also have to be heavily subsidised for a loan deal to appeal to Milan.’

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The Daily Mail also say AC Milan are considering a loan deal, while Man Utd have have set two transfer conditions.

It’s noted that they are open to a loan, but an ‘obligation to buy’ clause must be included and they have also set their asking price.

‘AC Milan are weighing up a loan approach for Marcus Rashford.

‘The striker, who has been out of favour under Ruben Amorim and missed the midweek defeat to Newcastle through illness, is ready for a new challenge and is available this month.

‘United ideally want to sell for £40million and that figure plus his wages of over £325,000-a-week are the major stumbling block.

‘United will consider loans with obligation to buy offers and a number of clubs have expressed interest.

‘Rashford has turned down approaches from Saudi Arabia and wants to remain in Europe to further his England career.’

According to reports, a transfer ‘option has appeared’ for former Manchester United forward Cristiano Ronaldo after he ‘offered himself’ to Chelsea.

Ronaldo‘s second spell at Man Utd went poorly as he burned bridges at Old Trafford en route to having his contract terminated before the 2023 January transfer window.

The 39-year-old scored 24 goals in all competitions in the 2021/22 campaign, but he butted heads with Erik ten Hag as the head coach preferred to select Man Utd’s young stars. He was also unhappy following their failure to qualify for the Champions League.

Despite this, Ronaldo decided against joining a European club and signed for Saudi Pro League side Al Nassr on a free transfer.

He’s grabbed 74 goals and 18 assists in his 83 appearances for Al Nassr, who are fourth in the Saudi Pro League after 13 matches.

Ronaldo has entered the final six months of his contract and this has fuelled reports linking him with a move elsewhere.

READ: Cristiano Ronaldo: Man Utd bottom of next move likelihood ranking including Chelsea, PSG

A recent report claimed Ronaldo ‘desires’ a return to Europe and has ‘offered himself’ to Chelsea, though his age and salary are an obstacle.

A report in Spain says his two ‘options’ are committing to Al Nassr or moving to the MLS as the latter possibility has ‘appeared again’.

It is claimed that a decisive factor is he ‘wants to have Casemiro by his side’ as he’s ‘requested a reunion’ with the Man Utd midfielder, who is expected to leave the Premier League giants in 2025.

Earlier this week, a report from GiveMeSport revealed ‘Casemiro has been offered a £650,000-per-week contract’ to move to Saudi Arabia and ‘could join Ronaldo at Al Nassr’.

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The report explains:

‘United star Casemiro has been handed the opportunity to become one of the highest-earners in the Saudi Pro League after being offered a £650,000-per-week contract which would see him leave Old Trafford for Al-Nassr this month.

GMS sources have been informed that Saudi Pro League sporting director Michael Emenalo is driving the move to lure Casemiro away from Manchester United and, should an agreement be reached with central deal-makers, he would be on course to join Old Trafford icon Cristiano Ronaldo at Al-Nassr.

Casemiro would move into the top-five highest earners in the Saudi Pro League if the move to Al-Awwal Park comes to fruition ahead of the winter transfer window’s February 3 deadline, but GMS sources have been told that there has been no club-to-club contact between Al-Nassr and Manchester United at this stage.

‘Although GMS sources recently revealed that Casemiro is more likely to walk away from Old Trafford at the end of the campaign, central deal-makers have decided to fast-track their pursuit and make their move midway through the season as they aim to turn his head before potentially joining the likes of Ronaldo, Sadio Mane and Aymeric Laporte in Riyadh.’

According to reports, Kobbie Mainoo’s shock potential move to Chelsea “certainly has legs” as Manchester United look to raise funds for their rebuild.

Mainoo was one of the standout performers in the Premier League last season as he enjoyed a sensational breakout season for boyhood club Man Utd.

The 2023/24 campaign was miserable for Man Utd but he established himself as one of their most valuable assets as he emerged as one of the Premier League’s best young stars.

Despite this, it’s emerged that the Red Devils are open to letting Mainoo leave as their dire financial situation may force them to sell their prized asset.

It’s understood that Man Utd’s preference would be to keep Mainoo and contract talks are ongoing, but he’s ‘unhappy’ with the ‘initial’ offer to extend his deal. 

READ: Six Man Utd certainties under Amorim after Liverpool include three exits, key quartet, £45m transfer

The Blues have been named as the club ‘leading’ the race to sign Mainoo and it’s been suggested that he could cost around £70m this month or the summer. 

Chelsea reporter Simon Phillips has revealed their stance on a move for Mainoo as his “top source” claims “they are trying to turn his head”.

Phillips said: “What we have heard is that Chelsea once again senses an opportunity with a contract standoff between Mainoo and Manchester United. Sources have heard that United ARE still trying to agree a new contract.”

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“However, it has also been reported by reliable outlets that United might not be able to refuse any good offers for Mainoo due to PSR issues, with a number of their home grown players now up for sale.

“Interestingly, Chelsea also had recent interest in Alejandro Garnacho under this ownership, but I haven’t heard of anything new on that.

“But back to Mainoo, Chelsea have basically just reached out to his agents to tell them they are interested and to see if anything is viable. My top source messaged me late last night and said ‘we are trying to turn Mainoo’s head.’

“We heard yesterday that he ideally wants to stay in Manchester. But maybe this is where agent Cole Palmer comes in!? Chelsea are certainly trying, and it could even happen this month. It certainly has some legs to it.”

Journalist Henry Winter has moved to reassure Man Utd that Mainoo may not leave, though. He suspects the ongoing speculation is “part of the dance” before a new contract can be agreed.

“I assume it’s part of the dance of the deal,” Winter said. “And he’s not particularly well paid, certainly by Manchester United’s stratospheric standards. And he wants a new deal.

“He should very much be part of Manchester United’s future. He’s 19. He’s an England international. He’s been outstanding. He was very good at the weekend, homegrown. He’s just the type of player that they should be holding on to.”