Manchester United remain hopeful of offloading Marcus Rashford this summer, but have already blocked two clubs from activating his £40 million release clause.
The 28-year-old spent last season on loan with Barcelona, where he helped the Catalan giants win the La Liga title. However, despite impressing in his time with Barca, the club opted not to activate their option to make the deal permanent.
As a result, Rashford, who is currently part of England's squad at the 2026 World Cup, will be heading back to Old Trafford when the tournament ends.
Manchester United's Feelings on Marcus Rashford's Future
Marcus Rashford in action for Manchester United
Per reports, the player himself is willing to stay and fight for his place at the Theatre of Dreams, with the outlet claiming that he would rather see out the remaining two years of his contract than join another Premier League club.
However, United would seemingly rather move on from Rashford, who is currently believed to be earning more than £325,000 per week, in order to give new permanent boss Michael Carrick the chance to add to his squad ahead of the new season.
With the club back in Champions League action again next term, Carrick is aware of the need to add to his ranks to cope with the increased number of games his team will play.
The Red Devils have already been linked with West Ham duo Mateus Fernandes and Crysencio Summerville following the Hammers' relegation from the Premier League.
A deal for Summerville is thought to be dependent on United's ability to sell fellow forward Rashford.
The Two Clubs Who Are Banned From Signing Rashford
Manchester United caretaker manager Michael Carrick celebrates Premier League win over Liverpool at Old Traffordvia Reuters
As keen as the Old Trafford club are to boost their coffers by cashing in on Rashford, though, there are two clubs that won't be able to sign him, even if they wanted to.
A report from the Athletic has confirmed that there are two clubs who are specifically excluded from activating the buyout clause in the players' contract, Liverpool and Manchester City.
United included the stipulation in Rashford's deal in order to avoid potentially bolstering either of their two biggest rivals, with all three expected to be competing with each other on multiple fronts next season.
Rashford should still attract plenty of interest from other clubs, having played 49 times for Barcelona last term, scoring 14 times, while bagging 14 assists. United may have to lower their asking price for the player, though.
Barcelona were reportedly interested in retaining his services, but didn't want to part with the £26 milllion it would have cost to make the deal permanent. Now less than 18 months away from his 30th birthday, it seems unlikely that United will find a club willing to activate his contractual release clause in full.