Report: Atletico Madrid interested in signing Manchester United forward | OneFootball

Atletico Madrid Monitor Rashford Opportunity As Summer Plans Take Shape

Atletico Madrid have emerged as serious contenders in the race to sign Marcus Rashford, with Fichajes reporting that the Spanish club see the Manchester United forward as a market opportunity rather than a gamble. Rashford, currently on loan at Barcelona, finds himself at a pivotal point in his career, and Atletico believe the timing is right to act.

The England international arrived at Camp Nou hoping to establish himself as a central attacking figure. Instead, circumstances have moved against him. The return of key starters has limited his minutes, and head coach Hans Dieter Flick has “prioritized other options following the return of his starting wingers”, leaving Rashford in a secondary role that does not align with his expectations or status.

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Playing Time Concerns Shape Future Thinking

Rashford’s situation has sharpened focus across Europe. Atletico Madrid view his lack of continuity in Catalonia as a chance to move early. Diego Pablo Simeone has identified the forward as someone who could add “verticality and power” to his side, attributes long valued within Atletico’s tactical framework.

Barcelona, meanwhile, are weighing up the financial implications. Joan Laporta and the club’s sporting leadership are reluctant to activate the €30 million purchase option, largely because of Rashford’s wages. For the player himself, the priority is clear. He wants a project where he is “the focal point of the attack and not just a substitute”, a promise Simeone is believed to be willing to make.

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The Mirror adds further weight, claiming Simeone has already informed Enrique Cerezo that Rashford should be considered a priority signing for 2026. At 28, Rashford is described as being “in his professional prime” and unwilling to lose another season waiting for opportunities that may not come.

Manchester United Open To Overseas Resolution

Atletico’s interest has progressed beyond monitoring. Initial contact has reportedly been made with Manchester United to understand the conditions of a permanent transfer. United would prefer to avoid Rashford joining Premier League rivals, a factor that strengthens Atletico’s hand.

Rubén Amorim is said not to include the forward in his long term rebuild plans. That stance significantly eases the pathway for an international deal. While Arsenal and Paris Saint Germain are also keeping a watching brief, remaining in La Liga appeals to Rashford after his spell in Spain.

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Atletico’s executives are already working on a financial structure that would allow them to absorb Rashford’s salary without destabilising the club. Simeone sees the revival of the forward as a statement move, one capable of elevating Atletico’s attacking threat domestically and in Europe.

Metropolitano Seen As Fresh Start

Rashford’s time at Barcelona appears to be running towards a defined end point on June 30. A move to the Civitas Metropolitano is framed as a chance for renewal, a stage on which he could “redeem himself and prove that he remains one of the best strikers in the world”.

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Relations between the clubs could accelerate discussions, with Atletico working discreetly to position themselves ahead of the summer window. If agreement is reached, this could become one of the defining sagas of the upcoming market, reshaping both Atletico’s attack and United’s evolving squad.

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Marcus Rashford has been a symbol of the club for years, an academy graduate who carried expectations far heavier than most. Seeing him discussed as an “opportunity” elsewhere underlines how far things have drifted.

Many fans will accept that a fresh start might benefit everyone. Rashford’s form has fluctuated, and confidence appears fragile. If Amorim genuinely does not see him as part of the rebuild, clarity is preferable to another season of uncertainty. Atletico Madrid, with Simeone’s structure and clear demands, could offer an environment where responsibility is defined rather than shared.

There is also regret. Supporters will question how a player in his prime reached a point where a £30 million option feels heavy for Barcelona. That speaks to mismanagement as much as individual form. United fans want to see the club maximise value, not simply move on quietly.

Ultimately, emotions will be mixed. Some will wish Rashford well and hope he rediscovers his edge in Spain. Others will see this as another example of United allowing elite talent to drift away. What most agree on is that decisive action, whichever way it falls, is better than prolonging a limbo that serves no one.