Rashford enters potential swap deal
Manchester United may consider using striker Marcus Rashford as a bargaining chip in a swap deal to sign Roma’s French international midfielder Manu Kone, as the club seeks to bolster its midfield during the summer transfer window.
According to the Italian newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport, United’s management is considering including Rashford in the deal, having so far refused to meet Roma’s financial demands of approximately £51 million to release Kone.
The Italian club is looking to sell the player this summer to fund new signings and comply with Financial Fair Play regulations. Kone has attracted interest from several clubs, including Manchester United and Saudi Pro League side Al Ahli, but neither has shown willingness to pay the required fee.
Although Roma is interested in acquiring a left winger, Rashford’s high salary remains the biggest obstacle to finalizing the deal. The English international earns around £325,000 per week, meaning that if the deal were structured as a loan, Roma would need Manchester United to contribute significantly to covering his wages.
Conversely, United officials prefer to sell Rashford permanently, following the expiration of his loan spells at Spanish club Barcelona and English side Aston Villa without the purchase options being triggered.
Barcelona held a clause allowing them to sign the player for £26 million, but they opted instead to pursue English winger Anthony Gordon.
Rashford is currently preparing to return to Old Trafford, despite not having played for the team since December 2024, while his contract remains valid for two additional years.
The £40 million release clause that allowed him to leave for any club except local rivals Liverpool and Manchester City has also expired.
Although the club’s management wishes to offload Rashford’s high salary, manager Michael Carrick has not ruled out his continued stay at the club.
Carrick stated: “I want to work with and help any player who is part of the squad. This is the current squad composition, and what happens later with players returning from loan will be decided at the appropriate time.”
Thus, Rashford’s future remains open to all possibilities, whether staying at Manchester United or entering a swap deal that could give the club a chance to secure Kone during the summer transfer window.
