Chelsea legend urges Xabi Alonso to move for Manchester United outcast

Xabi Alonso is arriving to take charge at Chelsea this summer (Picture: Getty Images)

Chelsea legend Joe Cole reckons the Blues should look at bringing Marcus Rashford to Stamford Bridge this summer.

The 28-year-old is currently with the England squad at the World Cup but his club future is up in the air.

The forward remains a Manchester United player after a loan spell at Barcelona, but seems unlikely to ever play for the Red Devils again.

Barca have the opportunity to sign Rashford permanently for the seemingly bargain price of £26million, but have yet to take up that option.

The Catalan giants have until June 15 to exercise that clause, but the likelihood of them doing so decreased when they signed Anthony Gordon from Newcastle for just shy of £70m.

Rashford has made no secret of the fact that he wants to return to Barcelona and has offered to take a pay cut from his Manchester United salary to do so.

However, nothing is decided as yet and other clubs will come to the party if the La Liga champions do not snap up the 71-cap England international.

Marcus Rashford is expected to play a big role for England at the World Cup (Picture: Getty Images)

Bayern Munich have been credited with an interest in Rashford and Cole thinks Chelsea should be exploring a deal.

Xabi Alonso is arriving as the new Chelsea manager this summer and the former Blues star reckons Rashford would be a useful addition to his squad.

‘It’s just a matter of the wages and the valuation,’ Cole told The Sun.

‘Rashford ticks a lot of boxes, but you don’t want to spend a fortune on him – he’d do a good job for Chelsea.

Rashford is keen to return to Barcelona after enjoying his loan spell (Picture: Getty Images)

‘He needs to keep going, Marcus, he needs to keep his confidence up because he rebuilt himself at Barcelona, and there’s still another level for him to jump to.

‘He’s someone Chelsea should inquire about, but it’ll depend on the deal.’

While his Manchester United career is likely over and Barcelona are stalling on doing a permanent deal for him, there remains great faith in Rashford.

England boss Thomas Tuchel is a fan and is likely to use him regularly at the World Cup, either as a starter or an option off the bench to replace Gordon.

Red Devils legend Paul Scholes has also suggested Premier League champions Arsenal should be looking at the Three Lions star.

‘That would be a great move, a great move for both parties,’ Scholes said on The Good, The Bad & The Football podcast.

‘I think Arsenal would be a great move for him and the club.’

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