AC Milan have reportedly given up on signing Marcus Rashford and are targeting Manchester United team-mates Rasmus Hjylund and Joshua Zylkie instead.
The Italian giants were thought to be the first European club to make a formal offer to Rashford after it became clear the England international was keen to leave Old Trafford. Milan advisor and Rashford’s former United teammate Zlatan Ibrahimovic also did nothing to dampen speculation.
However, according to ESPN, the winger’s high pay – reportedly in excess of £300,000-a-week – ultimately sold him off from Milan.
Sergio Conceição’s side are not giving up on strengthening their attacking line and could look to Zirksee or Hojlund as cheaper alternatives. These two strikers have both struggled for goals this season, with just five goals in the Premier League (Jorgen Strand Larsen scored the only goal for the relegation-battling Wolves team). (less than the previous record).
Rasmus Hojlund (left) and Joshua Zirkzee have both struggled for Manchester United this season/Karl Lecine/Getty Images
If Milan are unable to sign either striker from Manchester, they are also interested in Chelsea’s disreputable forward Joao Felix.
Rashford’s transfer will also be complicated by his nationality, as Milan can only register four non-EU players. Manchester City full-back Kyle Walker is expected to fill the remaining spot, but further spots could become available if English centre-back Fikayo Tomori leaves the San Siro. In that scenario, the Serie A team would consider Feyenoord’s Mexican striker Santiago Jimenez.
Rashford may not be heading to Milan, but it looks increasingly likely that he won’t remain in Manchester once the winter window closes. Borussia Dortmund are thought to be open to signing Rashford on a permanent deal, with the forward’s agent having held robust talks with the club last week.
Manager Ruben Amorim is under pressure with the forward’s continued absence following the defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion at the weekend and was unwilling to welcome him back into the squad any time soon.
“No matter what, we’re not going to bring in a player that we don’t think is the best fit for the team,” Amorim said.
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