Gossip: Real Madrid 'contact Marcus Rashford', Man Utd scout Nikola Milenkovic
Marcus Rashford is ready to entertain a move to Real Madrid after struggling to find regular first-team football at Manchester United.
Rashford had no plans to leave the club having supported them since childhood, but the 21 year old has found a first-team place difficult to lock down after two seasons of inconsistent form and wayward finishing in front of goal.
The England forward has been told by national team boss Gareth Southgate that he must be playing frequently for United or it could cost him his place on the international stage, which means if he fails to get regular football under Jose Mourinho then he will hear out Real Madrid’s offer. The Spanish club have already spoken to his representatives about a move, report the Sun.
READ MORE: Guardiola – ‘I can’t be f****d reading about Klopp!’
READ MORE: Evra apologises for bizarre raw chicken video
READ MORE: Dortmund dismiss claims of Man City buyback clause on Sancho
Rashford contract runs out at the end of next season, and is valued at around £50 million, meaning United could choose to cash in on him during the summer rather than lose him for nothing.
In defence, the Mail have linked Manchester United with Fiorentina’s Serbian defender Nikola Milenkovic. The 21 year old can play in both central defence and at right-back, and Mourinho scouted him on international duty in October. United are ready to send scouts to watch him against Bologna on Sunday.
He too is rated at £50 million, and United are aware that it may not be possible to get their preferred targets, Harry Maguire and Kalidou Koulibaly halfway through the season. Any move, of course, depends on Ed Woodward going back on his reluctance to undermine the current boss. The chances of support have been improved if the Evening Standard is to be believed, with the board pleased by the impression that dressing room relations have markedly improved since the nadir earlier in the season.
Spurs focused on Christian Eriksen contract
Amid interest from Real Madrid, Premier League contenders Tottenham Hotspur are concentrating their energy into renewing Christian Eriksen’s contract.
The 26 year old has been in negotiations with Spurs since last season over a new deal, with no sign of a breakthrough. However, with his contract running out in 2020, there is plenty of time for the London club and the playmaker to come to an agreement.
Any deal would decrease Real Madrid’s chances of picking up the player, with a fee of £50 million mentioned in the Evening Standard, significantly. After recovering from a stomach injury in the last few weeks, the Danish midfielder is expected to start for Spurs this weekend against Chelsea.
Newcastle join race for Almiron
Further down the Premier League table comes news that Newcastle United have joined the race for Paraguayan playmaker Miguel Almiron. Almiron moved to MLS side Atlanta United from Lanus in 2016 and he has flourished in America.
The 24 year old cost £7 million but could now be available for slightly more than double that at £15 million, which is within the budget of Everton and West Ham, who are also interested in bringing him across the Atlantic.
The problem for Rafael Benitez is that it is still unclear if Newcastle owner Mike Ashley is prepared to back him in the January transfer window, report the Sun. Ashley has continued to be linked with a sale of the club after losing his way as owner.
