Arsenal Targets Late Rashford Loan Amid Martinelli Exit
Arsenal’s attacking plans for the final days of the window are threatening to turn into a scramble, with Marcus Rashford now emerging as a surprise late target.
The Manchester United forward, long linked with a move away from Old Trafford this summer, is understood to be on Arsenal’s radar as they brace for Gabriel Martinelli’s potential departure to Al-Hilal in a £50million deal. The London club are said to be exploring the prospect of a loan for Rashford, who naturally operates off the left – the very space Martinelli would leave behind.
Inside Arsenal, there is said to be a degree of “internal surprise” that Martinelli could be allowed to leave without a replacement already lined up. That uncertainty has pushed the club to re-examine options they had previously parked.
Rashford’s situation has shifted since the start of the summer. Initially viewed as a likely exit, he was pulled back into the picture by Michael Carrick during pre-season and has been reintegrated into the United squad. Carrick has publicly stressed that Rashford is a United player for this season and has spoken of being “delighted” with him since his return.
That renewed status complicates any late move. United now see a player who could feature as early as this weekend against Ipswich, rather than an expendable asset. Rashford, 28, still has two years left on his Old Trafford contract, which further strengthens United’s hand.
Last season’s loan at Barcelona did not end in a permanent switch, with the Catalan club opting against activating a £26million purchase clause. That decision has left Rashford back in Manchester, but his future is again under scrutiny as the window ticks down.
Arsenal, though, are not locked solely on Rashford. Their primary forward target has been Julián Álvarez of Atletico Madrid, but that pursuit has grown increasingly complex. Asked about talks with Álvarez, Mikel Arteta cut the conversation short with a sharp: “Don’t go there.”
The stance underlines how fraught the chase has become. Arsenal retain a strong interest in the Argentine, according to reports, yet are said to be adamant they will only push ahead if they receive total commitment from the player.
Álvarez himself has been keen on a move to Barcelona this summer and will miss Atletico’s match this weekend after being absent from training due to illness. But his current club have drawn a hard line with the Catalans.
In a pointed statement, Atletico Madrid’s Board of Directors declared unanimous support for the club’s decision not to negotiate Álvarez’s transfer to Barcelona. They stressed that Atletico are open to normal market talks, but only “in an ethical and professional manner and with respect between clubs,” adding that Barcelona had not met those standards. As a result, Atletico insisted there have been no negotiations with Barça over Álvarez, and there will not be.
All of that leaves Arsenal in a delicate position. Their preferred target is entangled in a standoff between Atletico and Barcelona. Their own squad could lose Martinelli for a major fee. And with the clock ticking, a late swing towards a loan bid for Rashford may be the bold, high-risk move they have to decide on – or walk away from.
