Marcus Rashford’s proposed move from Manchester United to AC Milan this month has been thrown into doubt after another transfer collapsed.
Rashford has been closing in on a loan move to Milan in the January transfer window after making it clear he wanted to leave his boyhood club. The 27-year-old’s £325,000-a-week contract at United had put paid to a permanent move this month, but a subsidised loan to Milan had looked to be a good compromise.
Rashford’s brother and agent Dane has been in the Italian city trying to thrash out the details, with Milan’s advisor and the United striker’s former team-mate, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, keen to get things sorted. The wheels appeared to be in motion with Milan making space in their squad by selling forward Noah Okafor to RB Leipzig.
Okafor had said his goodbyes and travelled to Germany on Monday to complete a medical ahead of an initial loan deal with Leipzig that could become permanent for around €25million (£21m) in the summer. However, that deal is now off, according to Sky Germany, who report that Leipzig have cancelled the deal.
The Swiss forward has missed the last four Serie A games due to a muscle tear and has subsequently failed his medical. Leipzig are unwilling to go ahead with the deal, given he won’t be immediately available for them.
That appears to be bad news for Rashford, who might have to look to other clubs for a move now. Barcelona and Borussia Dortmund have held discussions with Rashford’s representatives and United, but the money involved could make things difficult.
By contrast, Okafor’s collapsed move could be good news for Kyle Walker, who is also being eyed by Milan. Pep Guardiola revealed on Saturday night that Walker wants to quit Manchester City this month to pursue opportunities abroad and Milan are believed to be in pole position.
Milan only have one spot available for a non-EU player, meaning they can’t sign both Rashford and Walker in the January transfer window. Walker might now get the nod, with Milan potentially unable to shift injured Okafor.
"Kyle went to Txiki Begiristain,” Guardiola said after City’s 8-0 thrashing of Salford in the FA Cup. “Maybe I am wrong but I am pretty convinced that you should keep no-one who doesn't want to be here. Kyle asked to explore. It doesn't mean it's going to happen, you never know.
"I respect him a lot because I'm more than grateful. He has been here many years for us. He's been important for the national team but he said 'I want to explore, in my mind and my heart I want to explore it. I don't know what's going to happen."
Rashford could still find a move away from Old Trafford this month, with Napoli looking for forwards following Kvicha Kvaratskhelia's transfer request. Kvaratskhelia looks poised to join Paris Saint-Germain, who themselves are trying to find a new home for Randal Kolo Muani to make room for the Georgia international.