Rashford swap deals with AC Milan and Barcelona emerge as United weigh summer options

Manchester United are weighing two separate swap deal proposals that could end Marcus Rashford’s time at Old Trafford, with the 27-year-old currently on loan at Barcelona and set to return to his parent club this summer unless a permanent arrangement is agreed.

The first proposal, endorsed by former United defender Jaap Stam, would see Rashford move to AC Milan in exchange for Portuguese winger Rafael Leão. The 25-year-old carries a £131 million release clause and has been repeatedly linked with a move to Manchester, with reports suggesting Milan are open to letting him leave. Stam told ComeOn: “Maybe a swap between Rafael Leao and Marcus Rashford could work. Leao is also a good player. He has shown his potential at Milan, of course, in what he can do. I think he is a player that should be on the list of targets for Man Utd.”

Stam added a note of caution, however, stressing that mentality and squad fit matter as much as ability. “You need to consider the situation where the club is, what player they are bringing in that is going to help the club going forward, so that you don’t get any irritations from players who are not being picked to start.”

The second route involves Barcelona midfielder Marc Casado. According to Mundo Deportivo, United have entered the race for the 22-year-old Spain international, and a deal for Casado could give Barcelona a cleaner path to signing Rashford permanently without needing to trigger the £26 million purchase option they currently hold on the forward.

Rashford has had a productive season in Catalonia, registering 14 goals and 14 assists in 49 appearances across all competitions. That form has prompted Barcelona teammate Frenkie de Jong to publicly call for him to stay. Speaking to Sport, de Jong said: “In the minutes he’s played, he has given us a lot: goals, assists, depth. He is a fast player, who threatens rival defences. I would be delighted if he continued with us. He arrived here with a lot of enthusiasm — from the first moment he arrived you could already see that he wanted to stay.”

United manager Michael Carrick is understood to be keen to reinforce his midfield following Casemiro’s departure, which adds further logic to the Casado element of any potential agreement. Barcelona are yet to formally activate their purchase option on Rashford, though talks over the transfer fee are reported to be ongoing.