Manchester United have offered Marcus Rashford to Arsenal following Barcelona’s decision not to activate their option to buy the England international, opening the door for a potential swap deal involving Gabriel Martinelli. According to The Sun, a move could see Rashford and Martinelli exchange clubs, mirroring the 2018 transfer of Alexis Sanchez and Henrikh Mkhitaryan between the two sides.
Barcelona had a €30 million (£26 million) option to make Rashford’s loan permanent, but have opted not to trigger the clause, which expires in four days’ time. Rashford, 28, is considered surplus to requirements at Old Trafford, with United keen to offload the winger. While Bayern Munich has been linked with a €40 million (£34.5 million) move, sources close to the situation indicate that United are actively exploring options closer to home.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has reportedly given the green light to the sale of Gabriel Martinelli, 24, as he seeks to reshape his squad and build a long-term dynasty at the Emirates Stadium. Recent reports from talkSPORT and The Athletic suggest Arteta believes the Gunners can find an upgrade on the Brazilian winger in the current transfer market. Martinelli’s future at the club is currently uncertain.
A swap deal would potentially address both clubs’ needs. Arsenal would gain a more experienced and explosive attacker in Rashford, capable of making an immediate impact. Manchester United, in turn, would acquire a younger, potentially developing talent in Martinelli, who currently earns significantly less than Rashford’s £325,000-a-week wages. While the financial benefits are clear, the move is not yet advanced, with initial contact described as exploratory. However, the possibility of a swap is now firmly on the table as United seek a solution for Rashford and Arsenal consider options to strengthen their attacking options.
