Manchester United expect Marcus Rashford to rejoin preseason after the 2026 World Cup, with the club’s position only changing if a permanent move is agreed before then. The 28-year-old came off the bench for England against Croatia and scored, his second international goal in almost three years after also netting in September’s win over Serbia.

Rashford remains a United player under contract until 2028 and “fully welcome back.” He was included alongside Bruno Fernandes in a daily World Cup roundup on the club’s website the morning after his England display. BBC Sport reports the player is expected to report for preseason at Carrington once his mandatory post-World Cup, three-week holiday is over. That plan will only change should a move be arranged before that time.

A season at Barcelona in 2025–26 served as a reset after a difficult 2024 at United. He registered 28 goals and assists for Barcelona and made almost 50 appearances across all competitions. Barcelona did not exercise their option to buy because it made more financial sense to sign Anthony Gordon instead.

Reports this week outlined a $52.9 million (£40 million) release clause, triggerable by any clubs other than Manchester City or Liverpool. That figure is almost twice the option Barcelona passed in the region of $35 million (£26 million) and positions Rashford attractively on the market.

Five clubs stand out in the reporting as plausible suitors. Aston Villa could make sense: Rashford valued his loan at Villa Park under Unai Emery, Villa return to Champions League football for 2026–27 and they have a clear vacancy on the left following Jadon Sancho’s exit. Newcastle could also be interested after a season hampered by Champions League demands and the sale of Anthony Gordon. Napoli are named as a possible destination after helping other former United players rebuild and with question marks over Romelu Lukaku. Paris Saint-Germain represent another option given their rotation in pursuit of a Champions League triple and links around Bradley Barcola. Bayern Munich remain a long-term example of a club that can reinvigorate a player’s career.

If Rashford wants to remain at United, that is possible; if he seeks a permanent exit, the release clause creates a clear pathway for interested clubs.

Liverpool have agreed a surprise €40 million ($45 million) deal for Osasuna winger Víctor Muñoz, the club’s first confirmed signing of what promises to be a significant summer window. The transfer follows a recent pattern at Anfield of beating Newcastle to targets and arrives as the squad prepares for Andoni Iraola’s debut season.

The wide forward areas are a clear priority. Mohamed Salah’s exit after nine years, the regression of Cody Gakpo and the expected departure of Federico Chiesa have left Liverpool light on options, with 17-year-old Rio Ngumoha the only other first-team winger mentioned in club planning. Muñoz arrives having produced a breakthrough 2025–26 campaign in La Liga with Osasuna, his first full season at senior level, and with a place on Luis de la Fuente’s Spain World Cup roster.

Statistically the numbers are modest: six goals and two assists in 34 appearances, 81 shots and an xG of 7.8. Context matters. Osasuna were a poor side fighting relegation, and Muñoz’s directness and searing pace stand out. He was recorded as La Liga’s second fastest player in 2025–26 at 35.5 km/h (22 mph) and once claimed to AS that he hit 36.6 km/h (22.7 mph) in pre-season with Real Madrid’s B team. Only Lamine Yamal, Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappé completed more dribbles than Muñoz’s 75, and among players under 25 only Yamal took more shots than his 81. He also scored a neat outside-the-boot finish on his Spain debut in a 3–0 win over Serbia in March.

Muñoz’s profile — pace, dribbling and the ability to play across the forward line while most often featuring on the left — appears to match the high-energy style Iraola favours. He joined Osasuna for €5 million ($5.75 million) from Real Madrid last summer with a three-year buy-back clause and 50% of any future fee reserved for Madrid. If Liverpool’s move completes for €40 million, Madrid will receive €20 million under that arrangement.

Reports indicate Liverpool may continue to pursue additional attackers amid uncertain futures at the club. On Diomande and other targets, Côte d’Ivoire manager Emerse Faé said: “When we were in France journalists told me he was about to sign with PSG,” Faé said after the victory over Ecuador. “Here, they tell me he’s about to sign with Liverpool!

“I don’t know, but for now, he will focus on the World Cup, and then afterwards, he can think about the rest of his career.”

Alexis Mac Allister’s agent and father, Carlos, has moved to dampen talk of an imminent transfer to Real Madrid while making clear his son remains focused on the World Cup.

Speculation has linked the Liverpool midfielder with a summer move following a 2025–26 campaign in which his form drew harsh scrutiny. Real Madrid have been mentioned as a destination after securing Bernardo Silva this year as they seek long-term successors to Toni Kroos and Luka Modrić.

Carlos Mac Allister, who also represents his son, denied that any contact had taken place with the Spanish club when speaking to Erem News. “The reports circulating about Alexis are false.

“No one from Real Madrid has spoken to us so far. There is no new information regarding Alexis’s current situation at Liverpool .”

Mac Allister’s contract at Liverpool runs until June 2028 and, according to the available information, there have been no discussions about an extension. The player spent three seasons on Merseyside after his move from Brighton & Hove Albion.

The agent returned to the subject in comments to WinWin, stressing the immediate priority and leaving the possibility of reconsideration once the World Cup is concluded: “Alexis is in excellent shape to play in the World Cup. Before the World Cup begins, it’s not possible to discuss or analyse a player’s future,” he said.

Liverpool endured a difficult 2025–26 season and finished fifth to secure Champions League qualification. The club has since changed managers, with Arne Slot replaced by Andoni Iraola, and a significant summer of turnover is anticipated, including the departures of Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson.

How the new manager views Mac Allister remains unclear. After three seasons at Liverpool, both player and club may evaluate whether a fresh chapter is appropriate once international commitments conclude.