Former Liverpool goalkeeper David James has publicly advocated for his former club to make a move for Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford this summer. The suggestion comes as Rashford’s future at Old Trafford appears increasingly uncertain, with neither the player nor the club seemingly keen to extend their association.
Rashford, 28, spent the 2025/26 season on loan at Barcelona, where he enjoyed a productive campaign, scoring 14 goals and providing 14 assists across all competitions, helping the club secure the LaLiga title. Despite a reported £26 million release clause in his loan agreement, Barcelona ultimately opted to sign Rashford’s England teammate, Anthony Gordon, from Newcastle United for a significantly higher fee of £70 million.
According to sources, a summer transfer or another loan move is now the most likely outcome for Rashford. While Bayern Munich has also been linked with the player, several other Premier League clubs, including Arsenal, Chelsea, and Tottenham Hotspur, are monitoring the situation. James believes Rashford would “thrive” under the guidance of Liverpool’s new manager, Andoni Iraola.
James told BetVictor: “If I were Liverpool, I’d look to sign Marcus Rashford. I really would. Get him in first, and then you give it time to work out his best position. I think he’s an outstanding footballer. His football intelligence is off the scale, and so is his ability. We saw at Barcelona that when you get Marcus Rashford in a happy place, he’s capable of playing incredible football.”
However, a potential move to Liverpool may face obstacles, as The Athletic’s David Ornstein reports that a previously reported £40 million release clause in Rashford’s Manchester United contract is not available to either Liverpool or Manchester City. Iraola is expected to receive significant backing in the transfer window, with RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande already identified as a potential long-term replacement for Mohamed Salah. The addition of Rashford could further bolster Liverpool’s attacking options, though the financial and contractual complexities remain significant.
