‘Keep an eye on them’ – Ben Jacobs warns ‘surprise’ club could make Marcus Rashford late transfer ultimatum

Add as preferred source on Google

Despite the January transfer window not often producing many high-profile deals, Manchester United are poised for a frantic end to this one.

The Red Devils could yet be one of the Premier League’s busiest clubs.

Manchester United are preparing to unveil Patrick Dorgu as Ruben Amorim’s first signing, and although Alejandro Garnacho and Tyrell Malacia could leave before Deadline Day, all eyes are on another player.

Marcus Rashford told to expect late transfer offer from ‘surprise’ club

Marcus Rashford was recently publicly criticised by Amorim. He now faces an uncertain future and seems destined to leave Old Trafford before the end of the window. The problem is — his options are limited.

Rashford wants to join Barcelona but won’t unless the Catalan giants can make space in their squad. Even though Borussia Dortmund remain an option, the player hasn’t shown much interest in playing in Germany.

• READ: Confirmed Manchester United transfer deals for January 2025, ins, outs, loan moves, deadline date

And according to Ben Jacobs, failure to move to a club in Europe could open the door for Saudi side Al-Ahli to make a late take-it-or-leave-it transfer offer.

“Don’t rule out, as a little bit of a surprise, even though he’s said ‘no’, repeatedly and categorically, Al-Ahli coming back in with a late offer and saying to Rashford ‘You haven’t got an option in Europe, now will you reconsider Saudi versus staying at Manchester United?’ Jacobs told talkSPORT.

“I don’t see the player changing his mind but Al-Ahli still want a left-sided attacker, so just keep an eye on them as a dark horse if that move to Barcelona doesn’t come off.”

Decision time

If Rashford’s representatives can’t agree a loan, or permanent transfer, to a club inside Europe, preferably Barcelona, the forward will probably have to accept being frozen out for the rest of the season.

Amorim, by his own admission, isn’t the type of manager to change his ideas and go back on his word, so Rashford has already been warned that he will have to move on for the sake of his career.

If he can’t get his dream transfer to the Nou Camp and Al-Ahli makes a late offer, the winger must decide what his priority is — playing or sitting on the sidelines, because the money involved won’t be a problem for a club in the wealthy Pro League.