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

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.
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