Manchester United legend Paul Scholes has urged Marcus Rashford to consider a shock move to Arsenal amid uncertainty over his future at Barcelona.
Rashford wants to stay at the Nou Camp after his season-long loan spell in which he helped Barca win La Liga.
The 28-year-old was considered fortunate to join Barcelona last summer after being cast aside by former United boss Ruben Amorim and having a mixed loan spell at Aston Villa.
But Rashford justified Barcelona’s interest with 14 goals and ten assists as Hansi Flick’s side retained their La Liga title and went deep in the Champions League.
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Barcelona have an option to sign Rashford permanently from Manchester United for around £26m and appeared ready to activate that clause.
But Rashford’s future in Spain is in doubt after the Spanish champions spent £70m to sign his England teammate Anthony Gordon from Newcastle United.
Barca are still believed to be interested in keeping Rashford but a big-money deal for another attacking player has complicated matters.
While Rashford is keen to extend his stay at the Nou Camp, his entourage do not believe he will be short of offers even if Barcelona pull out of a deal.
According to the Daily Mail, his representatives are braced for approaches from Arsenal, Chelsea, Bayern Munich and even Barcelona’s fierce rivals Real Madrid.
It is not the first time Rashford has been linked with new Premier League champions Arsenal and Old Trafford legend Scholes insists that would be a ‘great move’ for both parties.
‘Barcelona have a deal in place to buy him but I think they’re trying to get him cheaper,’ Scholes said on The Good, The Bad & The Football podcast.
Asked about Arsenal’s reported interest in Rashford, Scholes added: ‘That would be a great move, a great move for both parties.
‘I think Arsenal would be a great move for him and the club.’
Scholes also admitted he doesn’t want Rashford to return to Manchester United despite Amorim’s exit and Michael Carrick’s recent appointment.
‘No, it very rarely happens, a big player like that going to a big club and then coming back,’ he said.
‘They very rarely come back and I don’t think United will really want him back.’
Arsenal are set to back Mikel Arteta this summer with at least four new signings expected to arrive at the Emirates Stadium.
Left-wing is one area Arsenal are focussing on, with both Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard linked with moves away from north London.
Rashford has made over 400 appearances for boyhood club Manchester United, scoring 138 goals and winning four domestic cups and the Europa League during his time at Old Trafford.
Earlier in the season, pundit Ally McCoist backed Rashford for a stunning move to Arsenal, saying: ‘100 per cent I could see him playing there. Marcus Rashford could thrive at Arsenal.’
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