West Ham United is reportedly considering a bold move to sign Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford during the January transfer window, shortly after appointing Graham Potter as their new manager.
Potter, 49, officially took over as West Ham’s head coach on Thursday following the dismissal of Julen Lopetegui. The former Chelsea and Brighton boss has signed a two-and-a-half-year deal and inherits a team currently sitting 14th in the Premier League.
As part of his effort to revitalize the squad, Potter is keen on bringing in reinforcements. West Ham has already been linked to Chelsea midfielder Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, but according to talkSPORT, Rashford has also emerged as a potential target.
The England international recently expressed his readiness for “a new challenge” after a lackluster season at Manchester United under manager Ruben Amorim. Rashford, 27, has attracted interest from several top European clubs, including Borussia Dortmund and Paris Saint-Germain.
Despite the competition, West Ham is exploring the possibility of a loan deal for Rashford, following their successful acquisition of Aaron Wan-Bissaka from United last summer. While Amorim appears willing to sanction Rashford’s exit, the forward’s preference for an overseas move might complicate the Hammers’ pursuit.
Rashford has enjoyed a storied career at Manchester United, making over 400 appearances and netting 30 goals during Erik ten Hag’s tenure. However, his form has dipped since the 2022-23 campaign, and he believes a move could benefit both him and the club.
“When I leave, it’s going to be no hard feelings,” Rashford stated last month. “I think I’m ready for a new challenge and the next steps.”
Potter, meanwhile, aims to make a strong start at West Ham after his turbulent stint at Chelsea, where he lasted less than seven months before being sacked. Reflecting on his decision to join the Hammers, Potter expressed optimism about the club’s potential:
“It’s a proud day to be head coach of this amazing club with big tradition, history, and expectations. It feels like a good fit for me, and I’m excited to build a team that our supporters can identify with and be proud of.”
Potter’s first test as West Ham manager will come on Friday night in an FA Cup clash against Aston Villa, marking the start of what fans hope will be a transformative era under his leadership.