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Marcus Rashford to Everton: January Transfer Talks and Key Obstacles

Published
Oct 26, 2026
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International
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Everton have reportedly held early talks with Manchester United about Marcus Rashford, but his wages, willingness to join and the deal structure remain hurdles.

Marcus Rashford to Everton: January Transfer Talks and Key Obstacles

Everton’s interest is plausible; the deal is another matter

Everton have opened discussions with Manchester United about signing Marcus Rashford in January, FootballTransfers reports. The talks are at an early stage, and the central question is still unresolved: would Everton pursue a permanent transfer or a loan with an option to buy?

That uncertainty matters because the football fit looks easier to explain than the finances. Rashford can play across the front line, and Everton have a shortage of options up front after their deadline-day move for Folarin Balogun collapsed. But his wages would put him well above the club’s current pay scale, while his interest in joining another English side is unclear.

Rashford’s recent record cuts both ways. On loan at Barcelona last season, he scored 14 goals and supplied 15 assists. Since returning to Old Trafford, he has no goal involvement in eight appearances. Steve Kay broke the news on 24 October; the available reporting traces the talks back to him and describes them as preliminary, with no guarantee a deal will follow.

How likely is the move?

The Football Whispers Index rates the proposed transfer as possible: 58 out of 100. Its score weighs five areas: Everton’s finances, their need for Rashford, his motivation, United’s incentive to sell, and the strength of the reporting. The overall number captures the tension here: there’s a case for the move, but several conditions still need to line up. Read how the index works.

The index gives financial viability 18/25, buying-club need 13/20, player motivation 5/15, selling-club incentive 12/20 and market momentum 10/20. The salary gap and Rashford’s reported reluctance to join another English club weigh heavily against Everton. If you’re following this as a transfer lead, the next meaningful clues are likely to be the proposed deal structure and whether Rashford himself is open to it.

Marcus Rashford to Everton: What would make it happen?

Everton’s reported talks with Manchester United are a sign of interest, not evidence that a deal is advancing. Steve Kay of FootballTransfers broke the story on 24 October, saying discussions about a January move are at an early stage. There’s no guarantee they’ll lead anywhere, and it’s still unclear whether Everton want a permanent transfer or a loan with an option to buy. Football365, TEAMtalk and CaughtOffside have repeated the report, but all credit FootballTransfers and none offers independent sourcing. FootballTransfers expects Rashford’s time at United to end in 2027, with January the earliest he could leave. That leaves a narrow window for a winter deal, but no bid has been reported and Everton’s proposed terms remain unknown. Either would be a more meaningful sign of progress. The fit is plausible; the obstacles are concrete. Rashford earns a reported £300,000 to £325,000 a week, while Everton’s ceiling may be closer to the £225,000 Jack Grealish earns. A loan with an option to buy could give the clubs a route through the transfer fee, but it wouldn’t solve the wage gap unless United agreed to cover part of his salary. Then there’s Rashford himself. The reporting says he was reluctant to join another English club over the summer, so it’s uncertain whether Everton can persuade him now. If you’re watching for signs the deal is real, look for an agreed wage contribution, a defined loan structure and evidence that Rashford is open to the move. Without those, the talks may go no further.
The verdict58 / 100
Everton’s interest makes a January move possible, but Rashford’s wages and his reported reluctance to join another English club are substantial hurdles.
A loan with an option to buy could work if United cover part of his £300,000 to £325,000 weekly salary and Rashford accepts a move he didn’t want over the summer.
The deal is likely to stall if Everton can’t go beyond Jack Grealish’s £225,000 weekly wage or Rashford again prioritizes a club abroad.
Source: Byron David · footballwhispers.com

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