Man Utd goal £16m Premier League star as Marcus Rashford substitute | Football

Manchester United are reportedly eyeing Everton star Iliman Ndiaye as a possible substitute for Marcus Rashford ahead of the summer transfer window.

Rashford joined Barcelona on a season-long loan deal as United splashed out within the region of £200million to overhaul their misfiring attack with the addition of Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko last summer.

In that point, Rashford has made a complete of 37 appearances in all competitions for the Spanish champions, chipping in with a good tally of ten goals and 13 assists.

Fierce competition for places means Rashford is yet to ascertain himself as a nailed-on member of Hansi Flick’s XI when everyone seems to be fit. Nonetheless, 14 of the forward’s 23 league games have come as starts this term.

Rashford continues to be yet to offer any assurances over his plans beyond the summer and the England international’s resurgence in La Liga has only intensified talk and speculation surrounding his long-term future.

Nonetheless, in response to Spanish publication Sport, Barcelona at the moment are ‘finally convinced’ by Rashford’s value and the club’s hierarchy are actively trying to sign the 28-year-old on a everlasting deal.

It’s claimed the Catalan giants are ‘already working’ on exercising a €30million (£26m) option of their deal to sign Rashford outright at the tip of the season.

The United academy graduate is alleged to ‘feel comfortable’ in Barcelona, telling those in his inner circle that he could be keen to proceed his profession on the Camp Nou.

Michael Carrick had been been ‘counting on’ the concept of getting Rashford at his disposal should he still be in control of United next season – however the forward’s stance means the club have been forced to contemplate alternative options within the transfer market.

The report claims Yan Diomande is one among the various attackers on United’s shortlist having caught the club’s attention along with his speed and dribbling ability across an exceptional debut season with RB Leipzig.

Como’s Jesus Rodriguez, Paris Saint-Germain’s Bradley Barcola and Strasbourg’s Martial Godo are also named as players within the thoughts of key decision-makers at Old Trafford.

Closer to home, United are believed to be keeping tabs on Ndiaye’s situation, a player who would wish no time to regulate to the Premier League after two outstanding years with Everton.

In a mid-table Everton team, Ndiaye has racked up five goals and three assists within the English top flight this season.

The 26-year-old also enjoyed success at international level initially of this yr, playing an instrumental role as Pape Thiaw’s conquering Senegal side won the 2026 Africa Cup of Nations.

Everton stand to make a tidy profit should they determine to money in on Ndiaye in the summertime having signed the winger for a fee of just £16million from Marseille back in 2024.

Ndiaye has three-and-a-half years remaining on his current contract on the Hill Dickinson Stadium.

In a recent interview with AceOdds.com, ex-United striker Louis Saha encouraged his former club to explore a move for Ndiaye, who he described as a ‘mixture of Amad and Mbeumo’.

‘Ndiaye, from the moment he signed, he’s been an incredible talent. I’d like to see him, perhaps sooner or later at Manchester United, to be honest,’ Saha explained.

‘He’s a really skillful player. I like Ndiaye’s style. Like Mbeumo, he’s comfortable with the ball.

‘His work rate is superb… he’s a bit like a combination of Amad and Mbeumo to be honest.’

For more stories like this, check our sport page.

Follow Metro Sport for the newest news on
Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

MORE: ‘It was crazy!’ – Chelsea questioned for leaving out £38m ‘machine’

MORE: Arsenal given fresh hope of signing Champions League winner

MORE: Patrice Evra blasts Man Utd legend over ‘unnecessary’ Michael Carrick comment