Arsenal Considers Late Loan for Rashford as Martinelli Exit Approaches
Arsenal are weighing a dramatic late move for Marcus Rashford as uncertainty grows over Gabriel Martinelli’s future and talks for Julian Álvarez hit a wall.
With the transfer window ticking into its final days, the Gunners are said to be exploring a loan deal for the Manchester United forward, who naturally operates off the left – the very role Martinelli has made his own in north London.
Martinelli shock and a scramble for solutions
Inside Arsenal, there is said to be genuine surprise that Martinelli could be allowed to join Al-Hilal in a £50 million deal without a replacement already lined up. That looming gap on the left has pushed club figures to revisit options they had not expected to pursue at this stage.
Rashford’s name has re-emerged. Strongly linked with an Old Trafford exit at the start of the summer, he was initially on the fringes before Michael Carrick pulled him back into the fold during pre-season. That decision has complicated any move.
Carrick has been clear: Rashford is a United player this season. The 28-year-old, who spent last year on loan at Barcelona, still has two years left on his contract. Barça chose not to trigger a £26 million purchase clause, sending him back to Manchester and handing Carrick another attacking option.
The United manager has spoken of being “delighted” with Rashford since his return and the forward could feature against Ipswich this weekend. Any Arsenal approach now comes up against a club and a coach who have already reintegrated him.
Álvarez chase hits resistance
Arsenal’s primary attacking target remains Julian Álvarez at Atletico Madrid, but that pursuit is proving anything but straightforward.
When Mikel Arteta was asked how talks with Álvarez had gone, his curt response – “Don’t go there” – underlined the difficulty of the situation. The club retain strong interest in the Argentina international, yet are said to be insistent they will only push ahead if they receive total commitment from the player.
Álvarez, absent from training this week and ruled out of Atletico’s upcoming match through illness, has been keen on a move to Barcelona this summer. That desire has collided with Atletico’s stance. The Spanish club flatly refused to engage with Barça after feeling disrespected by their conduct.
Atletico’s Board of Directors issued a pointed statement backing the club’s refusal to negotiate with the Catalan side over Álvarez.
They stressed that Atletico Madrid are open to transfer talks when they are conducted “in an ethical and professional manner and with respect between clubs,” and stated that Barcelona had failed to meet those standards. As a result, the board confirmed there have been no negotiations and there will be none regarding Álvarez’s transfer to Barça.
Arsenal’s late-window dilemma
All of this leaves Arsenal in a tight spot. A key winger could depart. Their top attacking target is locked in a standoff between his current club and his preferred destination. And the alternative – a loan swoop for Rashford – depends on prising a rejuvenated forward away from a manager who wants to keep him.
Days remain. Arsenal want another attacker. The question now is whether they can force a breakthrough, or head into the season gambling that what they already have will be enough.
