{"id":268108,"date":"2025-07-17T01:59:38","date_gmt":"2025-07-17T01:59:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/268108\/"},"modified":"2025-07-17T01:59:38","modified_gmt":"2025-07-17T01:59:38","slug":"liverpool-shortlist-manchester-united-star-as-striker-search-expands","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/268108\/","title":{"rendered":"Liverpool shortlist Manchester United Star as striker search expands"},"content":{"rendered":"

As Liverpool seek to bolster their attacking line ahead of the 2025\/26 season, a name few expected has surfaced. According to a report by The Daily Mail<\/a>, Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford has been \u201cfloated as an idea\u201d by figures at Anfield should their move for Newcastle United\u2019s Alexander Isak fall through.<\/p>\n

While on paper such a transfer would send shockwaves through English football, the complexities surrounding it \u2013 from club rivalry to personal preferences \u2013 render it an intriguing yet improbable proposition.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Big Ambitions, Bigger Obstacles<\/p>\n

Liverpool are not standing still. With six new signings already under Arne Slot, including Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez, the reigning Premier League champions are building from a position of strength. Having toppled Manchester City last season, the Reds are looking to evolve their squad further, specifically in the number nine role.<\/p>\n

Newcastle\u2019s Alexander Isak is clearly the first-choice target. As The Daily Mail states, \u201cLiverpool have made an approach for Newcastle United star Alexander Isak in a \u00a3120million deal.\u201d However, the Merseyside club are not putting all their trust in one pursuit. Sporting director Richard Hughes and Slot are reportedly assessing multiple forwards, casting a wide net in preparation for summer negotiations.<\/p>\n

\"\"Photo IMAGO
\nRashford\u2019s Curious Situation<\/p>\n

One of the most unexpected names on Liverpool\u2019s shortlist is that of Marcus Rashford. Still just 27 and entering the peak of his career, Rashford\u2019s situation at Old Trafford has soured. According to The Daily Mail, \u201cRashford is one of the forwards that Liverpool have on their list should they be unable to sign Isak from Newcastle.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"Photo IMAGO<\/p>\n

Adding further intrigue, The Athletic have disclosed that the \u00a3325,000-a-week forward has been described as a \u201cshock Premier League name\u201d at Anfield. This isn\u2019t merely idle gossip. While Liverpool remain cautious, the idea of Rashford leading the line under Arne Slot, with service from players like Wirtz and Frimpong, paints a mouthwatering image on Merseyside.<\/p>\n

However, complications abound. Not only are Manchester United unlikely to sell to their fiercest rivals, but TEAMtalk reports that \u201cRashford\u2019s dream is to play for Barcelona.\u201d After a failed January switch due to financial restrictions, the Catalan giants remain in contact with the England international. He spent the latter half of the previous season on loan at Aston Villa, suggesting that both club and player are ready for a fresh start.<\/p>\n

Alternatives to Isak and Rashford<\/p>\n

Liverpool\u2019s striker search extends beyond just Isak and Rashford. The club is reportedly monitoring Hugo Ekitike of Eintracht Frankfurt, Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa and Brentford\u2019s Yoane Wissa. Napoli\u2019s Victor Osimhen and Real Madrid\u2019s Rodrygo have also been listed among the potential options.<\/p>\n

This wide-ranging list indicates a careful strategy: Liverpool want quality but are not going to be held hostage by negotiation games. They aim to secure a forward who suits Slot\u2019s dynamic style without overpaying or compromising the squad\u2019s harmony.<\/p>\n

Man Utd\u2019s Dilemma<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, the situation at Old Trafford grows increasingly unstable. New manager Ruben Amorim faces a massive rebuild after United\u2019s dismal 15th-place finish last season. Only Matheus Cunha, of their three new summer signings, is expected to feature in Amorim\u2019s regular XI.<\/p>\n

With Rashford seemingly out of favour, and his wages a burden, United may be forced to consider all options. But a sale to Liverpool? That would require seismic shifts behind the scenes.<\/p>\n

As one insider put it, \u201cThe report has revealed that the \u00a3325,000-a-week (The Athletic) Man Utd forward\u2019s name has been \u2018floated as an idea\u2019 at Liverpool, adding that he is a \u2018shock Premier League name\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n

Our View \u2013 EPL Index Analysis<\/p>\n

\u201cMarcus Rashford to Liverpool?\u201d That\u2019s the kind of rumour that makes fans spit out their morning brew. For many Reds, the idea of a United player donning the Liverbird is nothing short of unthinkable, even if the name is as big as Rashford\u2019s.<\/p>\n

The rivalry aside, there\u2019s undeniable quality in the England international. His pace, directness and experience at the highest level would make him a serious threat under Arne Slot. But there are serious doubts. Firstly, \u00a3325,000-a-week is steep for someone who didn\u2019t start regularly at United last term and had to find form at Aston Villa.<\/p>\n

Then there\u2019s the question of intent. If Rashford really has his heart set on Barcelona, is he the kind of player who\u2019ll give 100% at Anfield? Fans want players who live and breathe Liverpool, not those who see the club as a stepping stone or compromise.<\/p>\n

Still, if Isak proves unattainable and the club believe Rashford fits Slot\u2019s system, it would be fascinating to see how the move plays out. Football has a way of surprising even the most seasoned observers. But for now, scepticism reigns.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"As Liverpool seek to bolster their attacking line ahead of the 2025\/26 season, a name few expected has…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":268109,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8813],"tags":[9261,1120,1121,748,393,1123,2912,4884,5759,18519,102033,1127,2465,98,103,16123,19503,9431,102034,16727,34876,99,16,15,6279,37198],"class_list":{"0":"post-268108","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-manchester","8":"tag-alexander-isak","9":"tag-anfield","10":"tag-arne-slot","11":"tag-britain","12":"tag-england","13":"tag-featured","14":"tag-florian-wirtz","15":"tag-great-britain","16":"tag-hugo-ekitike","17":"tag-jeremie-frimpong","18":"tag-liverpool-nn","19":"tag-liverpool-transfer-news","20":"tag-manchester","21":"tag-manchester-united","22":"tag-marcus-rashford","23":"tag-milos-kerkez","24":"tag-ollie-watkins","25":"tag-premier-league-transfers","26":"tag-rashford-barcelona","27":"tag-richard-hughes","28":"tag-rodrygo","29":"tag-ruben-amorim","30":"tag-uk","31":"tag-united-kingdom","32":"tag-victor-osimhen","33":"tag-yoane-wissa"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@uk\/114866106242532984","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/268108","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=268108"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/268108\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/268109"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=268108"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=268108"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=268108"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}