Arsenal Considers Late Loan Move for Marcus Rashford Amid Martinelli Uncertainty
Arsenal are considering a late move for Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford as uncertainty grows over Gabriel Martinelli’s future and the clock ticks down on the transfer window.
The London club are understood to be exploring the possibility of a loan for Rashford, who naturally operates off the left – the same flank Martinelli has made his own at the Emirates. The interest comes amid what has been described as “internal surprise” that Martinelli could be allowed to join Al-Hilal in a £50million deal without a replacement already lined up.
United, though, are no longer in the same position they were at the start of the summer. Rashford looked set for the exit then, only to be pulled back into the fold by Michael Carrick during pre-season. The 28-year-old, who spent last season on loan at Barcelona, still has two years left on his Old Trafford contract, and Carrick has been clear in public: Rashford is part of his plans this season.
That stance hardens the negotiating landscape. Any deal now is more complicated than it would have been in June. Carrick has spoken of being “delighted” with Rashford since his return and the forward is in contention to feature against Ipswich this weekend, a further sign of his reintegration.
Arsenal’s recruitment team, though, are juggling more than one attacking target.
Arteta, Alvarez and a stalled pursuit
Julian Alvarez of Atletico Madrid remains the primary name on Arsenal’s list, but the pursuit has hit turbulence. Those close to the situation describe the deal as difficult to complete, and Mikel Arteta’s own reaction did little to cool that impression. Asked how talks with Alvarez had gone, he snapped back: “Don’t go there.”
Even so, Arsenal have not walked away. Reports indicate the club retain strong interest in the Argentinian forward, but they will only push ahead if they are convinced of his full commitment to the move.
Alvarez, currently sidelined from Atletico’s weekend match after missing training through illness, has had his sights set on Barcelona this summer. That ambition has run into a wall. Atletico have refused to even sit at the table with the Catalan club, angered by what they view as unacceptable conduct around the proposed transfer.
The Spanish side made their position public in a pointed statement. Atletico’s Board of Directors said they had “unanimously expressed their full support” for the club’s decision not to negotiate Alvarez’s transfer to Barcelona. They stressed the club are willing to engage in normal transfer-market talks, but only “in an ethical and professional manner and with respect between clubs.” In their view, Barcelona have fallen short of that standard, and so “there have been no negotiations, nor will there be any negotiations” over Alvarez.
That closes one door for the player. It might yet open another for Arsenal – if they can convince him to turn away from Barcelona and if Atletico soften their stance on a sale to England.
A tense end to the window
For now, Arsenal are caught between two complex scenarios. On one side, a potential £50m exit for Martinelli to Al-Hilal without a nailed-on successor. On the other, a late-window scramble involving a United forward Carrick wants to keep and an Atletico attacker who has been angling for a different destination.
Rashford’s revived status at Old Trafford, Alvarez’s stand-off in Madrid, Martinelli’s possible departure to Saudi Arabia – they all collide in the final days of the window.
Arsenal know they cannot afford to get this call wrong.
