19 Jun 2026 11:01 BST |
4 min read
Ex-Chelsea defender William Gallas has urged his former club to pursue a deal for Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford this summer.
The England winger spent last season on loan at La Liga giants Barcelona and he was widely expected to complete a permanent move to Hansi Flick’s side ahead of the 2026-27 campaign due to a €30 million option-to-buy clause.
However, the Blaugrana opted against triggering this clause and they have instead signed Rashford’s international colleague Anthony Gordon for €80m after his eye-catching stint at Newcastle United.
Rashford remains eager to complete a move to Camp Nou before the summer window closes on 1 September, but a transfer now looks increasingly unlikely and he will be forced to explore alternative options after his participation at the World Cup.
Despite the sacking of Ruben Amorim and appointment of Michael Carrick, Rashford is still set to depart Man Utd this summer, with the Red Devils keen to finalise a permanent transfer, and Chelsea have emerged as possible suitors amid their pursuit of a new attacker.
Xabi Alonso will begin his duties at Stamford Bridge on 1 July and former Chelsea defender Gallas has told the Spaniard to bring Rashford to the club if the opportunity presents itself.
“I think Marcus Rashford did well at Barcelona,” Gallas told eSPORTY (via Football.London). “They had a good system. I’m surprised he didn’t sign for them permanently. I don’t know what happened.
“I don’t know if Arsenal want to sign him, but I would say Chelsea would be a better fit given how they play.
“I don’t think he would fit at Arsenal. I’m sure he wanted to stay in Barcelona, but it didn’t happen. If he has to come back to the Premier League, or maybe go somewhere else like Italy, we will see. But I could picture him at Chelsea.”
Analysis: Should Chelsea sign Marcus Rashford?
Chelsea already have a bloated roster of first-team wingers, but the vast majority of them either performed below par in 2025-26 or remain extremely inexperienced at the highest level.
Currently, Alejandro Garnacho, Jamie Gittens and Geovany Quenda will be in competition on the left, while Estevao Willian and Pedro Neto will vie for a starting berth on the right flank.
However, Chelsea are desperate to sign at least one new forward this summer and with Arsenal interested in top target Morgan Rogers, a move for Rashford may make perfect sense.
The England attacker certainly isn’t perfect, but he proved his credentials at Barcelona with an impressive tally of 25 goal contributions in 49 matches last season and there is no doubt that he would be a better option than both Garnacho and Gittens at present.
Furthermore, it has been reported that Rashford is available to Chelsea for €46m (£40m) due to a release clause included in his Man Utd contract, and he therefore represents a cost-effective solution to the club’s current left winger woes.
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