Reports suggest Marcus Rashford passed up a decisive opportunity to make an impact against Atlético Madrid in the Champions League quarterfinals, a moment that has shaped how Barcelona view his loan spell. After a bright start in Spain — seven La Liga assists in his first 12 appearances and Champions League braces against Newcastle United and Olympiacos early in the campaign — Rashford’s output has diminished.

Across La Liga and the Champions League he has started only 20 of his 37 appearances, underlining his role largely as a backup. His goals in April’s back-to-back La Liga matches against Atlético and Espanyol were his first in the competition since the end of January. He also failed to register a goal or assist in three Champions League knockout appearances against Newcastle and Atlético.

The Athletic reports that Rashford did not take the opportunity presented while Raphinha was sidelined with a hamstring injury. Hansi Flick set out the chance in early April: “It’s a good chance now for him to show again, but we have other options [to replace Raphinha, too].” After a disappointing first-leg showing against Atlético, Flick started Gavi on the left in the second leg; Rashford came off the bench and was unable to alter the outcome as Barcelona were eliminated.

Barcelona’s interest in a permanent transfer has cooled. There is no intention to trigger the existing $35.3 million (€30 million, £26.1 million) option to buy. While personal terms are not thought to be an issue, the club are “considering other options” for forward recruitment, and Manchester United are not expected to renegotiate the terms to make the deal more attractive to the Catalans.

If Rashford returns to Manchester United at the end of the loan, Barcelona would need to recruit another forward. At present he provides primary cover behind Robert Lewandowski, Lamine Yamal and Raphinha; the only other natural frontline player in the squad is 20-year-old Roony Bardghji. The Athletic names alternatives including Julián Alvarez, Harry Kane, Victor Osimhen, Omar Marmoush and Víctor Muñoz as potential targets for different forward roles.

Rashford has embraced life at Barcelona, so a departure would be a wrench. His contract at Manchester United, signed in 2023, still has two years remaining, and a return and reintegration at Old Trafford is possible. At his best he has been a 30-goal-a-season player, the only United forward since Robin van Persie in 2012–13 to reach that mark, doing so in 2022–23. His difficulties at United began early into Ruben Amorim’s time as manager, prompting an initial loan at Aston Villa before this season at Barcelona. Back in Manchester, circumstances have changed with Amorim gone and the team more consistent and on the up.

A busy summer window is taking shape in the latest transfer chatter, with a series of high-value approaches and multi-club interest across the Premier League and Europe.

Real Madrid are preparing a major proposal to sign Bayern Munich winger Michael Olise: an offer of $175 million (€150 million) plus Brahim Díaz has been mooted, with club president Florentino Pérez focused on securing a deal (Source: Fichajes). Fabrizio Romano reports that Bayern Munich will not sell Olise to Madrid or any other suitor (Source: Fabrizio Romano).

Barcelona are reassessing Lamine Yamal’s readiness to lead the side to major trophies and have begun searching for an alternative superstar, with Manchester City striker Erling Haaland identified as the principal target (Source: El Nacional). Robert Lewandowski is reportedly no longer prioritizing a new contract at Camp Nou and has begun to explore his options (Source: Cadena SER).

Several Premier League clubs feature repeatedly in the rumour flow. Chelsea are monitoring Angelo Stiller ahead of a possible summer bid (Source: BILD). Manchester United have Kees Smit on their radar while Newcastle United are actively pursuing the AZ Alkmaar midfielder, with interest coming from across the Premier League (Source: CaughtOffside). Liverpool lead the race to sign Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder João Gomes ahead of Chelsea and Manchester United (Source: RTI Esporte).

Other notable links include Alisson, who has reportedly approved a move to Juventus (Source: Tuttomercatoweb); Arsenal youngster Myles Lewis-Skelly attracting Real Madrid interest (Source: Fichajes); and Manchester City preparing a bid worth $134 million (£100 million) for RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande (Source: SportsBoom).

Goalkeeper movement is also suggested: Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa have been linked with Manchester City’s James Trafford (Source: Daily Mail), while City are said to be considering a return for Sheffield Wednesday’s Pierce Charles (Source: TEAMtalk). Southampton winger Léo Scienza has drawn Premier League interest from Aston Villa, Tottenham, Everton, Fulham and Leeds United (Source: ESPN).

Additional items include Liverpool’s reported concern over Virgil van Dijk and interest in Inter’s Alessandro Bastoni (Source: Fichajes), AC Milan viewing Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson as a top target as he returns from a Bayern Munich loan (Source: Corriere dello Sport), and Arsenal prepared to rival Leeds for Rennes midfielder Djaoui Cissé (Source: Media Foot).

Manchester United are preparing an assertive recruitment drive ahead of the summer window, targeting multiple positions as they weigh possible departures. Striker Joshua Zirkzee has been linked with an exit from Old Trafford, with Atalanta joining Juventus, Roma and Como among the Serie A clubs expressing interest.

United are also readying an aggressive push to sign Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson, despite Manchester City being regarded as favourites to land the prospective target. Midfield depth remains a priority: West Ham midfielder Mateus Fernandes is under consideration, although Aston Villa and Chelsea also pose competition for his signature.

Across the Premier League and Europe, several notable transfer threads are developing. Arsenal are one of three top-flight clubs to make enquiries about Paris Saint-Germain winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, but PSG are not inclined to sell and would demand an astronomical fee. Gabriel Martinelli, meanwhile, wants to stay at Arsenal despite suggestions he could be sold because of his expiring contract.

In goalkeeping circles Juventus have looked into a move for Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson, who is reportedly contemplating a summer departure amid concerns about a battle for minutes with Giorgi Mamardashvili. Chelsea and Newcastle United have both been linked with Roma goalkeeper Mile Svilar, who could be available if Roma fail to qualify for next season’s Champions League.

Chelsea’s defensive shortlist includes Everton centre back Jarrad Branthwaite, alongside Nottingham Forest’s Murillo and Brighton’s Jan Paul van Hecke. Tottenham Hotspur have entered the race to sign Bournemouth centre back Marcos Senesi ahead of his free transfer this summer.

Other developments include Manchester City joining the race for 16-year-old Hertha Berlin midfielder Kennet Eichhorn, Real Madrid preparing to step up efforts to sign Bayern Munich winger Michael Olise, and Everton not expected to trigger the option to sign Jack Grealish permanently but hopeful a cheaper deal could keep him at Goodison Park.

At Barcelona, the club are ready to listen to offers for Raphinha, believing the forward peaked last season and is starting to decline because of physical issues, making an exit from Camp Nou highly likely. The Catalans have also been offered Rafael Leão from AC Milan but are no longer interested in pursuing that move.