Newcastle United are keen to offer Marcus Rashford a route back into the Champions League with the Manchester United striker set to depart Old Trafford this summer
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Marcus Rashford
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Newcastle United are reportedly prepared to offer Marcus Rashford a route back into Champions League football. The Manchester United forward's future at Old Trafford appears uncertain, but his options seem limited.
Barcelona was thought to be Rashford's top choice, but the Spanish heavyweights have been scouting other talents. Nico Williams and Luis Diaz are high on their list, with the Athletic Club star currently leading the pack.
Rashford impressed during his loan stint at Aston Villa in the second half of last season. However, a return to Villa Park seems unlikely after Unai Emery's squad narrowly missed out on Champions League qualification on the final day of the season.
It was Newcastle who secured the Premier League's last Champions League spot, pipping Villa on goal difference.
Now, The Sun reports that the Magpies could be the ones to give Rashford another shot at European football. However, it may not be all plain sailing, reports the Express.
Newcastle are looking for a season-long loan deal, while his current club would prefer a permanent move after agreeing to part ways this summer.
During his spell at Villa, Rashford scored four goals in 17 appearances and provided six assists. Two of those goals were netted in the Premier League as Emery's team aimed for a top-five finish, but he was ruled out for the final few games of the season due to a hamstring injury.
"Just a message of thanks to everyone here at Villa for what has ( injury aside) been an incredible few months for me," he wrote on Instagram following the season's final weekend. "It is a really special club and I appreciated the way Villa fans embraced me with open arms from 1st minute on the pitch.
"Manager, team, and coaching staff have all been brilliant. I know it is a huge disappointment not to have made the Champions League place which everyone worked so hard all season for but I know this club and team will come back stronger."
Rashford, who is contracted to United until 2028, is not expected to remain at the club. In December, when he last played for his boyhood club, he expressed a desire for a new challenge.
"For me, personally, I think I'm ready for a new challenge and the next steps," the England star told journalist Henry Winter. "When I leave it's going to be 'no hard feelings'. You're not going to have any negative comments from me about Manchester United. That's me as a person.
"If I know that a situation is already bad I'm not going to make it worse. I've seen how other players have left in the past and I don't want to be that person. When I leave I'll make a statement and it will be from me."