New Champions League club join race to sign Man Utd outcast as Red Devils hold out for £40m windfall

Manchester United’s transfer rebuild has begun this summer with the club already adding Wolves attacker Matheus Cunha to their ranks, and they are working to bring in Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford.

Both names will help to replace Marcus Rashford, who is set to leave the club after his loan deal with Aston Villa expired. Villa opted against paying the £40m buy-option for Rashford, who has his since been linked with a move to Barcelona.

However, his wages are an issue, and Barcelona may decide to look at other targets, so where else could the 27-year-old go this summer?

Inter join Barcelona in Rashford race

It has been well-documented that Rashford wants a move to the Spanish giants this summer, however, there is no guarantee that a deal will be done, and so it now seems that a fellow Champions League giant are now keen to sign the attacker.

According to Spanish outlet Fichajes, Inter Milan have declared their interest in Rashford as they aim to improve their front-line following their humiliating Champions League final defeat to Paris Saint-Germain last week.

The report says that the club is keen to bring in some big names this summer following the departure of manager Simone Inzaghi, who left to join Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal, the side who also wanted to sign Bruno Fernandes.

Rashford did see an improvement in form during his time at Aston Villa, scoring four goals and providing six assist in 17 games for Unai Emery’s side. It was clearly enough to impress Inter, who have the likes of Marcus Thuram, Lautaro Martinez, and Marko Arnautovic amongst their attacking ranks.

It was a slight surprise that Villa decided to pass on Rashford, but their former striker Gabby Agbonlahor believes that it was due to the attacker’s hefty wages. He said: “The main reason why I don't feel he will come is because you are going to upset the changing room.

“If you are Ollie Watkins or Ezri Konsa and Rashford comes in on £300,000 a week, then you are saying 'I want £300,000 a week. That is what happens in changing rooms. The £40m is not the problem, it is the wages."

Seeing as they are in the Club World Cup, and they finished second in the Champions League, Inter are more likely to be able to afford Rashford’s wages, and so would be the most financially realistic option, even more so than Barcelona.

Who else could realistically sign Rashford?

There has been tenuous reports suggesting that a few Premier League teams hold an interest in Rashford, however, the issue will likely be his wage demands as Agbonlahor said with Villa.

Crystal Palace were linked with a shock move for the forward, with reports saying that they hope to tempt the England international to Selhurst Park, by keeping the likes of star players Eberechi Eze, Marc Guehi, Adam Wharton and Jean-Philippe Mateta.

They are also set to be in the Europa League after their FA Cup triumph, however, issues with UEFA ownership rules has put a dent in their chances of that happening. With a lack of European football, it would be hard for Palace to tempt Rashford to join.

Reports in January linked the likes of Tottenham, West Ham and Arsenal to Rashford too, however, rumours have quietened with regards to that trio of English clubs in the following months.

In other news, Fabrizio Romano: Bryan Mbeumo makes 'important' Manchester United transfer demand.