In recent football transfer news, it appears that AS Monaco has positioned itself as the leading contender to acquire Marcus Rashford on loan from Manchester United this January. According to reports from The Sun, Manchester United has been actively seeking opportunities for the talented forward to leave during the transfer window, and Monaco is seen as having the capacity to present the most appealing loan package.
As per the information disclosed by The Sun, interest from other clubs appears to be dwindling. Specifically, AC Milan has reportedly cooled its pursuit of Rashford, while Borussia Dortmund has expressed a desire to sign him on loan but expects Manchester United to cover a significant portion of his salary. West Ham United has also shown interest, with United setting a price tag of approximately £40 million for the player. Complicating matters, Rashford’s brother and agent, Dwaine Maynard, has his aspirations set on a move to Barcelona; however, financial restrictions prevent the LaLiga outfit from acquiring new players amid staggering debts close to £850 million. In light of these circumstances, Monaco could serve as a temporary solution for Rashford until the season concludes.
In another significant update, both Inter Milan and Borussia Dortmund are reportedly monitoring the situation of Jack Grealish, the Manchester City winger. His future remains uncertain, as he has found himself in and out of Pep Guardiola’s starting XI. With the England international being linked to several clubs, including Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur, and Newcastle United, a potential transfer abroad could be on the horizon. The Sun notes that Grealish might be inclined to seek a new challenge in Europe, viewing it as an opportunity to rejuvenate his career, both with his current club and within the national team framework. This season, Grealish has struggled for consistent game time, having started only 11 of 20 appearances across competitions, contributing one goal and four assists in a total of 1,036 minutes of action.
Turning to another focal point of transfer activities, Manchester City is reportedly exploring the possibility of securing a loan deal for Douglas Luiz, according to the Telegraph. Luiz, who earlier left Aston Villa for Juventus, finds himself in a challenging position regarding playing time in Italy. City has taken an interest in the Atalanta and Brazil defensive midfielder Éderson; however, with no immediate chances of securing him, they are considering other alternatives. Luiz, now 26 years old, has not made a notable impact since his move to Juventus, believed to have been worth £42 million, and his availability has sparked interest from the Premier League champions. Despite Luiz not being City’s foremost target, his previous experience with the club from 2017 to 2019 renders him a viable option in the eyes of the City management.
Additionally, Aston Villa has turned down West Ham United’s club-record bid of £57 million for Colombian striker Jhon Duran. The Telegraph reports that Villa values Duran closer to £80 million and is unwilling to part with the player in the midst of an intense January transfer window. The club has expressed irritation at the timing of West Ham’s offer, especially as they prepare for a crucial Champions League fixture against Monaco. Duran, a target for West Ham during the summer transfer window, had recently signed a contract extension until 2030, further complicating the situation.
While West Ham has made attempts to strengthen its squad by breaking its transfer record, which was previously held by Lucas Paquetá’s £51 million signing from Lyon, it appears their latest offer falls significantly short of what Villa would accept. Besides West Ham, Paris Saint-Germain has also shown an interest in Duran, though the steep transfer fees could hinder their pursuit. As West Ham reassesses its options, they are now considering other potential targets, including André Silva from RB Leipzig, Evan Ferguson of Brighton, and Taiwo Awoniyi, currently playing for Nottingham Forest. These moves highlight the ever-evolving landscape of football transfers, where clubs are continuously seeking opportunities to bolster their squads ahead of the second half of the season.
