Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
Tuesday evening saw Chelsea close in on the sale of two attacking players, while reports suggested Man City were preparing an offer that is likely to be deemed acceptable by Chelsea’s hierarchy.
Oliver Glasner pretty much confirmed that Liam Delap is set to join Nottingham Forest. The Guardian say an initial fee of £45m will change hands, and add-ons will take the deal to a club-record fee of £50m.
Ollie Watkins has been pushing for a move to Al Hilal, and now the Aston Villa star has got his wish. Villa have responded; The Telegraph say talks are advanced for Chelsea’s £65m-rated outcast Nicolas Jackson.
A total of £115m for two unneeded forwards is impressive, while Man City are also expected to finally meet Chelsea’s demands and pay big for Enzo Fernandez. Gaston Edul says a fee could exceed £120m.
With Jackson and Delap going, and possibly Marc Guiu before the window closes, a new versatile option in the final third is being considered. According to The Independent, Marcus Rashford could be the man.
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Chelsea consider late move to sign Marcus Rashford
The 28-year-old is back at Man United after a stunning season with Barcelona, where he had a hand in 29 goals in 49 appearances. But Barcelona chose not to turn his loan into a permanent deal, and he’s back.
Chelsea FC v Los Angeles Football Club: Group D - FIFA Club World Cup 2025
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Handed the no.9 shirt, it appeared that Rashford would remain at Old Trafford this season. However, the Independent claim Chelsea could sign a versatile attacking option, and Rashford is now being considered.
Why Chelsea could sign another attacking player like Rashford
With Delap, Jackson and Guiu likely to depart, it leaves Chelsea with Joao Pedro, Danny Welbeck and Emmanuel Emegha up top. On the left, Chelsea have Morgan Rogers and Jamie Gittens as options.
Marcus Rashford (FC Barcelona) seen in action during LaLiga
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Solid depth, given Chelsea aren’t in Europe. But Welbeck is no spring chicken, and both Gittens and Emegha are no strangers to injury. Having a player that can do both, like Rashford, makes sense.
How much would Chelsea have to spend to sign Rashford?
Man United and Barcelona agreed a permanent clause of £26m in his loan. But that was before the superlative season he had at the Nou Camp, and Chelsea are one of Manchester United’s direct rivals.
Joe Cole tells Chelsea to sign Marcus Rashford
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If Chelsea were to pursue Rashford, especially given the widely reported influx of cash the Blues are about to receive from Jackson and Delap, and possibly Fernandez, Rashford will cost a lot more than £26m.
Man United will be relieved to get his £300,000-a-week pay cheque off the wage bill, but they are not going to sell to a rival like Chelsea on the cheap. A fee will certainly be north of Barcelona’s £26m clause.