Man United backed for bold Marcus Rashford swap transfer as Leicester City target reveals exit hopes

Reports in Spain have suggested Marcus Rashford could be handed an unlikely route out of Manchester United after admitting he was keen to seek a new challenge.

The Red Devils academy product has scored 138 goals in over 400 appearances for his boyhood club since marking his senior debut with a brace in a Europa League meeting with Danish side FC Midtjylland in February 2016. However, the 60-times capped England international has not featured in United matchday squads over the last three games in all competitions after making a surprise admission over his future at Old Trafford.

He told journalist Henry Winter: "For me, personally, I think I'm ready for a new challenge and the next steps," he said."When I leave it's going to be ‘No hard feelings’. You’re not going to have any negative comments from me about Manchester United. That’s me as a person. If I know that a situation is already bad, I'm not going to make it worse. I've seen how other players have left in the past and I don't want to be that person. "When I leave I'll make a statement, and it will be from me."

Several clubs have been linked with a move for the versatile forward - but, as per Football365, reports in Spain have claimed Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick has given the green light to a swap deal for Rashford that would see Ansu Fati moving in the opposite direction. Barca are said to be ‘already dreaming’ of seeing Rashford in action and believe Fati could regain his confidence and potential with the 13-time Premier League champions.

The 3AM Verdict: Rashford has already hinted he would be ready to move away from the Premier League to reignite a career that appears in danger of stalling. However, a move to Barcelona, and particularly one that would see Fati move to Old Trafford, seems unlikely at this point in time.”

Agents reveals fears after Forest’s failed bid for Serie A midfielder

The agent of Roma star Edoardo Bove has revealed was pushed towards a summer move to Nottingham Forest - but opted against his over ‘the shadow’ of a potential loan to Greek giants Olympiakos.

The 14-times capped Italy Under-21 international was warned he would face a battle to find a place in the Roma side by former manager Daniele de Rossi and that led Forest, who have become the Premier League’s surprise packages this season, to submit an offer of around £6m for his services. Despite pressure from the Serie A club to make the move to the City Ground, Bove stood firm and is now on a season-long loan with Fiorentina - although his time with La Viola has been curtailed after the midfielder suffered a cardiac arrest during a home game with Inter earlier this month.

As reported by SiamoLaRoma, he said: “He [former manager Daniele de Rossi] told me that Bove could stay but that he would have a lot of competition. I told him that it had to be the season of consecration, it was important to play consistently. From there, strong pressure began from the former CEO [Souloukou] to take him away. It all culminated on August 30, when she wanted to push me to accept the transfer to Nottingham for €8m. For me there was the shadow of a loan to Olympiacos from Nottingham Forest and then I considered that value low.

We fought, I reassured her. I would find a solution more pleasing to everyone, which would have made the club earn more. For us, this solution was only Fiorentina. De Rossi, however, always advised the club to give Edo the possibility of returning.”

The 3AM Verdict: The concerns over a potential loan move to Olympiakos should be a worry for Forest fans and you wonder how many other players and their agents hold a similar view about a potential move to the City Ground.

Foxes target opens up on future

Leicester City are in a dismal run of form and the positivity that met Ruud Van Nistelrooy’s first two games in charge appears to be sliding away.

The former Manchester United and Real Madrid striker claimed four points from games against West Ham United and Brighton and Hove Albion - but has since emerged pointless from a visit to Newcastle United and Sunday’s home game with fellow strugglers Wolverhampton Wanderers. Significantly, those two losses saw the Foxes concede a combined seven goals and they current have the second worst defensive record in the Premier League after conceding 37 goals in their 17 league games.

That statistic means there should be little surprise the Foxes have been strongly linked with a number of defenders - and one target has now spoken out over his future with his current club. Reports over the weekend named Leicester as one of several clubs that are keen on Velez Sarsfield defender Valentin Gomez - and the Argentina Under-20 international has given an indication over his desire to move to Europe in the near future.

Gomez told TyC Sports: “First I'm going to go on vacation, I think I deserve it. I played a lot of games during the year. Then I'll see what decision I make for my future. The reality is that I'd like to continue growing in European football and see if that's a possibility, if any club is willing to come and get me.”

The 3AM Verdict: It seems fairly obviously Leicester must improve their defensive ranks over the coming weeks and the January transfer window could not come at a better time for Van Nistelrooy. However, it would be a risk to bring a relatively young player that is untested in Europe into their squad.