Marcus Rashford's loan spell at Aston Villa has come to an end, but the forward is expected to leave Manchester United permanently in the summer transfer window
BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - APRIL 15: Marcus Rashford of Aston Villa controls the ball during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Quarter Final Second Leg match between Aston Villa FC and Paris Saint-Germain at Villa Park on April 15, 2025 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Marc Atkins - AVFC/Aston Villa FC via Getty Images)
Marcus Rashford's future looks more likely to be away from Manchester United
(Image: Photo by Marc Atkins - AVFC/Aston Villa FC via Getty Images)
As the Premier League season draws to a close, clubs are already strategising for the summer transfer window.
Among the many unfolding narratives, the situation surrounding Marcus Rashford is drawing significant attention. The 27-year-old spent the latter half of the season on loan at Aston Villa after being sidelined at Manchester United by Ruben Amorim.
The United academy product made a positive impact at Villa Park, netting four goals and providing six assists across all competitions, earning him a recall to the England squad. Rashford's future remains uncertain, but with Amorim showing no signs of altering his position, it seems likely that the Old Trafford exit will be left ajar for Rashford.
Several clubs have been linked with a potential move for the forward. Now that the transfer window is open, Manchester Evening News examines Rashford's possible next steps this summer.
Aston Villa
In 17 appearances and 10 starts across all competitions for Villa, Rashford scored four goals and provided six assists. He made several crucial contributions, including a pair of assists in Villa's 2-1 triumph over Chelsea. He also put in an impressive performance against Paris Saint-Germain, where Villa came tantalisingly close to overturning a 3-1 aggregate deficit in the Champions League quarter-final.
Under Unai Emery's management, Rashford appeared sharp, eager, focused and clinical. Villa narrowly missed out on Champions League qualification, but Emery is a fan of the Europa League and would want a squad capable of competing both in Europe and domestically.
However, with Villa already having the sixth-highest wage bill in the Premier League, they may struggle to accommodate Rashford's reported £325,000-a-week salary from United. From a footballing perspective, it seems a good match, but with a £40million buy option on top of a hefty wage, the financial implications might be too much for Villa.
Tottenham
Marcus Rashford of Manchester United in action with Brennan Johnson of Tottenham Hotspur during the Premier League match between Manchester United FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC at Old Trafford on September 29, 2024 in Manchester, England
Rashford could be a surprise option for Tottenham
Despite a disappointing Premier League campaign, Tottenham's Europa League final victory over United earned them a spot in the Champions League. The north London team's 17th-place finish in the Premier League was one of the worst in their club history, but it's easy to overlook the significant number of injuries Spurs had to deal with.
In addition to losing key players like James Maddison, Dejan Kulusevski and Dominic Solanke to injury, captain and star player Son Heung-min also had a difficult season. His tally of seven goals in 30 Premier League appearances was his lowest since his debut season in 2015/16, when he scored just four goals in 28 appearances.
With the South Korean's goal-scoring prowess waning this season, another forward with speed, directness and a clinical edge could be on Ange Postecoglou's wish list. Rashford could be the ideal signing for the Tottenham manager, given his extensive Champions League experience. Should Spurs secure a favourable deal with United, who may need to offload players after missing out on Champions League qualification revenue, Rashford seems a great fit.
Barcelona
Marcus Rashford of Manchester United, Jules Kounde of FC Barcelona during the UEFA Europa League match between FC Barcelona v Manchester United at the Spotify Camp Nou on February 16, 2023 in Barcelona Spain
It's been widely reported that Rashford has always wanted to play for Barcelona
Speculation has been rife about Rashford's aspiration to play at the Nou Camp one day, with reports from Mundo Deportivo stating that Rashford's agents have informed Barcelona he'd be open to reducing his salary to secure a move to the Catalan club.
What's more, Barcelona manager Hansi Flick recently acknowledged his admiration for both Liverpool's Luis Diaz and Rashford, saying: "I don't want to speak about players, which are not in my team, but of course Luis Diaz and Marcus Rashford are fantastic players. I like them and we'll see what happens."
With Barcelona once again a dominant force in Europe, winning La Liga and advancing to the Champions League semi-finals, Rashford would undoubtedly have to compete for a spot against formidable attacking talent like Raphinha, Robert Lewandowski and Lamine Yamal, along with support from Dani Olmo and Ferran Torres.
Barcelona might be an appealing prospect for Rashford, but he'd have to go above and beyond to secure a starting spot amid the club's elite.
Napoli
Scott McTominay of SSC Napoli poses for a photo with the Serie A scudetto title trophy and the Serie A Season 24/25 MVP Trophy after the Serie A match between SSC Napoli and Cagliari Calcio at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona which was played on May 23rd, 2025 in Naples, Italy
McTominay has thrived since joining Napoli(Image: SSC NAPOLI via Getty Images)
In Italy, Scott McTominay took a leap of faith by leaving United for Napoli. But his new path led him to a Serie A crown and even a meeting with the Pope.
The midfielder moved from being a rotational option at Old Trafford to a mainstay at Napoli under Antonio Conte's watch. Bought for approximately £25.7m, he has transformed into a prolific scorer, boasting 12 goals and six assists in 34 games.
Conte's transformative coaching has also benefited another former Red Devil, Romelu Lukaku, who led the line for the Neapolitans. While Napoli has shown past interest in Alejandro Garnacho, Rashford's proven abilities might tilt Conte's favour towards him.
However, whispers persist over Conte's own future after Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis' remarks following their title celebrations suggested the manager might move on. At a trophy parade, he told fans: "I wish Conte continuing success in his professional life. Thank you, Antonio."
AC Milan
Tijjani Reijnders of AC Milan celebrates with Fikayo Tomori after scoring the his team's third goal during the Coppa Italia Semi Final match between FC Internazionale and AC Milan at Stadio Giuseppe Meazza on April 23, 2025 in Milan, Italy
AC Milan have helped many English players jumpstart their career
Rashford has seen fellow Englishmen Tammy Abraham, Fikayo Tomori and Ruben Loftus-Cheek thrive at AC Milan, and a spot could soon become available at the Rossoneri, with left-winger Rafael Leao's future at the San Siro currently uncertain.
Milan had a challenging season this year, finishing in a disappointing eighth place. The European giants, who clinched Serie A in 2022, may need fresh energy and a new mindset - Rashford could be the one to ignite that spark.
However, their absence from European football next season might mean a move doesn't come to fruition, considering the necessary funds involved.