Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford was the subject of inquiries from about 12 clubs during the summer transfer window, but his £40 million release clause and significant salary ultimately prevented a departure, according to reports sourced by FootballTransfers.
Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur were among the clubs that made inquiries, but both Premier League sides baulked at the £40m valuation, with United unwilling to negotiate a lower price.
According to reports from the BBC and the Manchester Evening News, Rashford's contract contained a £40m release clause applicable to all clubs except rivals Manchester City and Liverpool, which expired on July 15 without being triggered.
Additionally, FC Barcelona had a separate £26m (€30m) option to sign the 28-year-old permanently following his loan spell in Spain last season, during which he recorded 14 goals and 14 assists. However, the Catalan giants allowed that option to expire on June 15. Barcelona's sporting director, Deco, explained on RAC1, as reported by the Manchester Evening News, that the club chose instead to sign Anthony Gordon because his style better matched coach Hansi Flick's system.
Rashford's salary, reported by the BBC to be £325,000 a week, also severely limited the number of viable suitors. With no deal materialising, Rashford has been reintegrated into the Manchester United first-team squad under head coach Michael Carrick. Speaking in August, Carrick praised the forward's contribution since returning, stating, "He's been fantastic since he came back, I have to say."
