Arsenal weigh late Rashford loan as £50m Martinelli sale leaves attacking gap

Arsenal are exploring a late loan move for Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford as the summer transfer window enters its final days, with the club facing an unexpected gap in their attacking options following Gabriel Martinelli’s £50m move to Al Hilal.

Rashford had been widely expected to leave Old Trafford permanently this summer after a loan spell at Barcelona, but the Catalan club opted against triggering the £26m purchase clause in their agreement with United. The 28-year-old has since returned to Manchester, where new United manager Michael Carrick brought him off the bench against Hull City.

According to The Independent, there is reported “internal surprise” at Arsenal that a replacement for Martinelli has not yet been secured, and that situation could prompt the Gunners to submit a formal loan offer for Rashford. Chelsea have also been linked with a late move for the England international.

Arsenal’s primary focus remains Atletico Madrid’s Julian Alvarez, though that deal has grown increasingly complicated. When asked about negotiations with the Argentine, manager Mikel Arteta was blunt: “Don’t go there.” The club are understood to remain seriously interested but will only proceed if they receive full commitment from the player himself.

Alvarez has been eager to join Barcelona this summer, but Atletico refused to engage with the Spanish club over a transfer. The Madrid side issued a firm statement backing their board’s stance: “Atletico Madrid is open to negotiations that are part of the transfer market, but always in an ethical and professional manner and with respect between clubs.”

Alvarez is set to miss Atletico’s weekend fixture after being absent from training due to illness, adding further uncertainty to his situation.

Rashford’s reintegration at United complicates any potential move. He still has two years remaining on his contract, and Carrick has reportedly welcomed him back warmly into the squad, making a late exit more difficult to engineer than it might have been earlier in the window. Arsenal’s pursuit of both targets reflects the urgency created by Martinelli’s departure and the limited time remaining to address it.