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Joe Cole believes Arsenal could wrap up a surprise loan deal for Manchester United outcast Marcus Rashford ‘if the money is right’ this January.
Rashford, 27, revealed last month that he was keen for a ‘new challenge’ away from United, the club he joined at the age of just seven, after suffering a drastic decline in form over the last 18 months.
The United attacker enjoyed his best-ever season in front of goal across a magnificent 2022/23 campaign – netting 30 times in 56 games – but has since hit the target on just 11 occasions in the Premier League.
The Red Devils are open to offers for Rashford this month, though at least half of Rashford’s £325,000-a-week salary way have to be covered by the Old Trafford giants to secure a temporary switch.
A number of top clubs overseas have been credited with an interest since Rashford’s shock revelation a month ago, including AC Milan, Como, Galatasaray, Borussia Dortmund and even Barcelona.
Closer to home, the likes of Newcastle and Arsenal have also been linked, with Rashford still in limbo heading into the final fortnight of the January transfer window.
But addressing the situation on Al Arabiya News’ The Dressing Room podcast, ex-West Ham star Cole suggested the London Stadium could be a good fit for the out-of-favour England international.
‘There aren’t many options for him because he’s on such big wages,’ Cole said.
‘If I’m West Ham manager and I’m talking to David Sullivan [West Ham chairman] and they say there is a possibility of it happening, I would say, “Get me him!”, and I’d get an arm around the shoulder.
‘I’d just have a chat with him and ask him, “Marcus, what do you need? Tell me. I want you here, whatever you need…”, it’s man-management.’
Cole could see Rashford hitting the ground running at West Ham, just as Jesse Lingard did when he swapped Old Trafford for east London in the second half of the 2020/21 season.
‘His family, I’d bring them all in, and I’d go, “Come on, let us work together, we all want the same thing!”, it was the same thing with Jesse Lingard,’ the former West Ham, Chelsea and England winger added.
‘If he goes on loan to West Ham, he plays 15 games and he does what Jesse Lingard did, let me tell you: they would all be queuing up to take him.’
According to Cole, it’s not beyond the realms of possibility that Rashford could seal a stunning loan switch to Arsenal before the deadline.
On the suggestion that United wouldn’t let Rashford go to Arsenal, Cole responded: ‘If the money is right, I think they would.
‘Because I don’t think Manchester United see themselves this season, for a loan deal, competing with Arsenal.
‘I don’t know, maybe Manchester United fans might tell me different.’
Cole went on: ‘He’s a left forward. He’s never looked comfortable, for me, centrally.
‘I think the secret for Marcus is everyone around him, what he comes with, getting them all on side and saying, “Listen, let’s try and make this thing happen!”, I’d love to see it.’
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