Shock club joins January race for Marcus Rashford | OneFootball

Marcus Rashford could be offered a surprise Manchester United exit route while the transfer window is open this month by ambitious Serie A side Como.

Rashford hasn't played for United in almost a month, dropped from four consecutive matchday squads in December, during which time he went public with a willingness to consider a "new challenge" away from his club of 20 years.

AC Milan are credited with a loan offer already, with additional reported interest in the 27-year-old forward from Borussia Dortmund, Juventus and even Tottenham Hotspur.

Como would be a left-field option insofar as they are struggling towards the bottom of Serie A following last season's promotion. But the fashionable club based near the shores of the famous lake that shares the same name are backed by Italian football's richest ownership group.

Former Premier League star Cesc Fabregas is Como boss / SOPA Images/GettyImages

Indonesian conglomerate Djarum has a reported net worth of close to €50bn. Arsenal legend Thierry Henry has also given his backing to the club as a minority stakeholder, as has former Gunners teammate Cesc Fabregas, who is now head coach after retiring a Como player in 2023.

Owing to the wealth behind the club, Gianluca Di Marzio has reported that Como would have "no problem" regarding the economic aspect of a potential Rashford approach. Fabregas gives the project gravitas, as does ex-Manchester United defender Raphael Varane, who ended his playing career because of injury shortly after joining Como last summer but has remained involved.

Dele Alli, a former England colleague of Rashford's, is also currently training with the club.

Rashford, whose agent and brother was reported to be in northern Italy on Wednesday to gauge the level of interest from the various clubs in the region, is claimed to prefer the idea of joining Milan.