CorSport: ‘The preferred destination’ – what is needed for Rashford to seal ideal Milan move | OneFootball

West Ham United have joined the race to sign Marcus Rashford from Manchester United, a report claims, but a move to AC Milan is still favoured.

According to Corriere dello Sport, there was a first meeting between the player’s brother-agent Dwaine Maynard and the Rossoneri management which was more exploratory than anything else. However, the negotiations have remained on track, without any big positive or negative twists.

This means that the parties will meet again, that they will continue to talk and negotiate, always keeping a watchful eye on the strong competition that has descended on the 27-year-old after his split with United.

The latest team to line up are West Ham, led by new manager Graham Potte. However, it is difficult to imagine Rashford moving to another Premier League club given that he is so strongly tied to the Red colours of the Manchester Devils.

For him, Italy is the most popular option, and Milan in particular. The main obstacle was and remains his salary: with United he earns €14m net per year, more than any other player in Serie A and a lot more than Rafael Leao, the highest paid player at Milan.

Since we are halfway through the season, he would still have to be paid €7m until June which is too much. Thus, the talks are continuing to understand how much Rashford could reduce his salary to move to Milan and, if so, whether Manchester United would accept a loan with option to buy.

Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images

The financial help to finance the operation could be that freed up by the transfer of Noah Okafor to RB Leipzig. The Swiss forward is expected to join the Bundesliga side on loan with an option to buy set at €25m, even if there is talk of a delay.

There are also some tactical doubts about Rashford. Where would he fit into the team? The left wing is taken by the immovable Rafael Leao, the opposite flank is occupied by the equally immovable Christian Pulisic and he is not a natural lone centre-forward.

One option is Rashford as a striker together with Alvaro Morata or Tammy Abraham in a 4-4-2. Sergio Conceiçao is absolutely in agreement with the possible signing of Rashford, then it is up to him to decide what to do.