Fenerbahce are prepared to 'break the bank' to bring Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford to Turkey, according to reports. The 28-year-old is set to return to United for pre-season training later this month after a season-long loan at Barcelona, where he scored 14 goals and provided 14 assists in 49 appearances.
Barcelona decline option to buy
Barcelona had a £26 million option to buy Rashford but chose not to trigger it, instead signing England teammate Anthony Gordon from Newcastle United in a £69 million deal. This has left Rashford's future uncertain, though he is expected to rejoin his United teammates for pre-season in mid-August following England's World Cup campaign.
Michael Carrick is poised to give Rashford another chance to break back into the United starting XI, but the club have not ruled out selling him before the end of the transfer window. United value Rashford at around £30 million and would prefer not to sell him to a Premier League rival.
Fenerbahce's interest
That stance could suit Fenerbahce, who are reportedly ready to spend big on Rashford. He is on a three-man shortlist that also includes Crystal Palace's Ismaila Sarr and AC Milan's Rafael Leao, both of whom are thought to be wanted by United this summer.
Fenerbahce have held talks with Leao's representatives but have yet to agree a deal, and the same applies to Sarr. They have also spoken to Rashford's camp over a potential move as they look to back new manager Ismail Kartal with a squad capable of challenging Galatasaray for the Turkish title. However, Rashford was not believed to favour a move to Turkey when interest was first reported earlier in the summer.
Former teammates at Fenerbahce
Rashford's former United teammate Mason Greenwood signed for Fenerbahce earlier in the window. Also at the Istanbul club are ex-Reds midfielder Sofyan Amrabat and Marco Asensio, who played with Rashford at Aston Villa.
Speaking during the World Cup, Rashford said he wanted his future resolved before the tournament. "I live in the moment," he said after England beat Mexico in the Round of 16. "I was very clear with everyone involved before the World Cup. I wanted everything resolved beforehand. Since it wasn't, I'm not thinking about it until after the tournament. I want to be fully present because we're fighting for something very special."
