Arsenal's Late Move for Rashford Amid Martinelli's Potential Exit
Arsenal are weighing up a late move for Marcus Rashford as uncertainty grows over Gabriel Martinelli’s future and talks for Julian Álvarez hit resistance.
With the transfer window ticking into its final days, the Gunners are said to be exploring the possibility of taking the Manchester United forward on loan, a move that would directly address the potential loss of Martinelli to Al-Hilal in a £50million deal.
Inside the club, there is reportedly “internal surprise” that Martinelli could be allowed to leave without a replacement already lined up. That concern has pushed Rashford back onto the radar.
Rashford back in Carrick’s plans
At the start of the summer, Rashford looked a genuine candidate to leave Old Trafford. His future appeared open, his stock uncertain. Then Michael Carrick stepped in.
The United manager brought the 28-year-old back into the fold during pre-season and has been publicly positive about his response, saying he has been “delighted” with Rashford since his return. The forward, who naturally operates from the left, may even feature against Ipswich this weekend.
That revival complicates Arsenal’s task. Any move now, even on loan, is a very different proposition to the one that might have been possible earlier in the window.
Rashford spent last season on loan at Barcelona, but the Catalan club chose not to trigger the £26million option to buy. He still has two years left on his United contract, and Carrick has reiterated that he remains a United player for this season.
Álvarez pursuit clouded by doubt
Arsenal’s primary attacking target remains Julian Álvarez at Atletico Madrid. The London club are understood to hold strong interest in the Argentinian, but the deal has become increasingly complex.
When Mikel Arteta was pressed on how conversations with Álvarez had gone, he cut the line of questioning short with a sharp: “Don’t go there.” The message was clear enough. This is not a straightforward chase.
Reports suggest Arsenal will only move if they receive full commitment from Álvarez himself. For now, that commitment has been directed elsewhere. The forward has been keen on a switch to Barcelona this summer and will miss Atletico’s match this weekend after being absent from training through illness.
Atletico, though, have taken a hard stance. The club released a pointed statement confirming their refusal to negotiate with Barça over Álvarez.
“The members of Atletico Madrid's Board of Directors have unanimously expressed their full support for the club's decision not to negotiate the transfer of Julian Alvarez to FC Barcelona,” the statement read.
“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.
“We fully support the position previously communicated by the club that FC Barcelona have not met these requirements and, as a result, there have been no negotiations, nor will there be any negotiations with them regarding the transfer of Julián Alvarez.”
That stance leaves Álvarez in limbo and Arsenal watching from the sidelines, waiting to see if the situation shifts in their favour before the deadline.
A late scramble in North London
All of this leaves Arsenal’s attacking plans delicately poised. Martinelli could depart for Saudi Arabia. Álvarez is blocked by Atletico’s fury with Barcelona and his own preference for Catalonia. Rashford, once seemingly available, is now rehabilitated and valued again at Old Trafford.
A late loan bid for the United forward would be bold, opportunistic and fraught with difficulty. But with the clock running down and a hole potentially opening on the left flank, bold may be exactly what Arsenal need.
The question now is simple: do they gamble on a late swing for Rashford, or risk stepping into the season light in one of their most important positions?
