Former Liverpool goalkeeper David James has urged Liverpool to launch an audacious move for Manchester United outcast Marcus Rashford.
Anfield stands on the precipice of a new era. Following the dismissal of Arne Slot just 12 months after he secured the Premier League title Andoni Iraola now holds the keys to Liverpool’s future.
As Iraola reshapes the squad to match his high-intensity philosophy, an audacious, boundary-crossing market opportunity has emerged.
Former England and Liverpool goalkeeper David James believes the recruitment team should look across the M62 toward Old Trafford outcast Marcus Rashford.
Rashford, 28, spent last season revitalizing his career on loan at Barcelona. He registered 14 goals and 10 assists across all competitions, helping Hansi Flick’s side retain their La Liga title and mount a deep run in the Champions League.
While Flick and sporting director Deco publicly praised his impact, Barcelona’s priorities shifted. The Catalan club secured Newcastle United’s Anthony Gordon in a £70 million deal last month, subsequently declining to trigger the £26 million permanent purchase clause for Rashford.
The forward now faces an awkward return to Manchester United. Neither player nor club wants to revive a fractured relationship, making a permanent summer exit almost certain.
The Athletic understands that a specific clause in Rashford’s contract values him at £40 million for foreign suitors and select domestic rivals. Crucially, however, Manchester United ensured this cut-price clause does not apply to local rivals Liverpool or Manchester City.
Any approach from Anfield would require a negotiated premium.
The race for Rashford heat up
Despite the financial hurdles for Liverpool, James insists that football rivalries should not dictate modern recruitment strategy. He believes Iraola possesses the exact tactical and personal framework to unlock the England international.
“If I were Liverpool, I’d look to sign Marcus Rashford. I really would,” James told BetVictor. “Whether he plays on the left or the right isn’t the main issue. Get him in first, and then you give it time to work out his best position. I think he’s an outstanding footballer. His football intelligence is off the scale, and so is his ability.”
James pointed to Rashford’s resurgence in Spain as proof of his ceiling when placed in the correct environment.
“We saw at Barcelona that when you get Marcus Rashford in a happy place, he’s capable of playing incredible football,” James added. “I can’t imagine Liverpool will actually sign him, but football rivalries shouldn’t stop clubs from pursuing the best players. Someone like Andoni Iraola is good enough to create an environment where Rashford could thrive.”
Liverpool will face intense competition if they enter the market. Bayern Munich have registered interest, while Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur continue to monitor his situation. More pressing, however, is the threat from North London. Newly crowned Premier League champions Arsenal view Rashford as a prime market opportunity to bolster Mikel Arteta’s attack.
On paper, David James makes an intriguing tactical argument. Marcus Rashford possesses the blistering pace, transitional threat, and elite versatility that Andoni Iraola demands from his forward line. His 24 goal contributions in Spain prove his elite calibre when playing in a positive system.
ReadLiverpoolFC Verdict
In reality, this transfer will never happen. The historical animosity between Liverpool and Manchester United represents an insurmountable barrier; no player has moved directly between the two clubs since Phil Chisnall in 1964. Furthermore, United’s contractual clause specifically penalizes Liverpool, meaning Richard Hughes and the Anfield hierarchy would have to pay well above market value for a player United are desperate to dump.
With Arsenal and Bayern Munich offering cleaner exit routes, Liverpool should focus their resources on younger, less politically complicated targets to kickstart the Iraola era.
