Marcus Rashford has emerged as a potential transfer target for Tottenham in recent weeks.
The England star revitalised himself during a loan stint at Aston Villa last season, and has been the subject of plenty of transfer speculation from around the Premier League this summer.
Tottenham are the latest side to eye a move for Rashford, who seemingly has no future with his boyhood club.
The forward is one of several players who have fallen badly out of favour with Ruben Amorim, and he seems destined to become a fall guy as the Portuguese boss looks to revamp his squad.
Man United allow Rashford to return late to pre-season training
Daniel Levy seems determined to supply Thomas Frank with a big-name signing this summer, and the Spurs chief now appears to have his eyes fixed firmly on Rashford.
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Rashford would need to take a pay cut to join Spurs, given his hefty wages at Old Trafford, but with the Red Devils desperate to get him off their own payroll, it could prove to be a deal that suits all parties.
Now, United are widely reported to have granted Rashford permission to return to pre-season training late.
Amorim’s squad are set to begin their preparations for the upcoming campaign on Monday (7 July), but Rashford is part of a group of five outcast stars who have been told they don’t need to return until later in July.
Rashford’s number 10 shirt has also been handed to Matheus Cunha, with Amorim and the club hierarchy doing everything they can to force their former academy graduate out of the door.
Tottenham must go all out to sign Rashford
It is clear that Levy wants to arm Frank with a strong squad, and he should be doing everything he can to land Rashford for the Dane.
United’s latest decision just serves to reinforce the idea that the attacker is among a number of players who they are desperate to sell, and should result in them being very open to negotiations with interested parties.
With that in mind, Spurs and Levy must be doing everything they can to bring Rashford to N17. United’s reluctance to keep him allows the Lilywhites the space to be creative in their offers, and it may be that a loan deal is the best course of action at the moment.
That would help to alleviate some of the concerns over Rashford’s wages in North London, but also still provide United with the chance to ship him out.
The fact that the 62-cap international would likely be some way behind the rest of the group in their pre-season preparations would be a source of minor frustration for Tottenham, but that shouldn’t put them off in their pursuit.