JUVENTUS have rejected a bid for Manchester United outsider Marcus Rashford.
But incredibly, the Italian giants are more interested in the striker's Old Trafford team-mate Joshua Zirkzee.
Rashford, left out of Rubin Amorim's squad for the fourth time in a row in the 2-0 Boxing Day defeat to Wolves, wants to leave United and is being offered by several agents across Europe.
Juventus boss Thiago Motta is looking for reinforcements in January and while he is not keen on Rashford, he wants to sign Zirkzee from United, the player he managed at Bologna last season.
The Dutch forward has struggled since his £36.5million summer move from Bologna.
He scored just four times in 26 appearances, although only 10 of those were starts.
Zirkzee, 23, has struggled in English football but his reputation remains strong in Serie A.
Motta believes he can help him flourish as a player, having worked so closely with him after signing him from Bayern Munich in 2022.
However, it is unlikely that United would be willing to take a financial hit on a player so quickly after paying a significant sum for the striker.
Despite Amorim claiming Rashford still has a future at the club, United are said to be willing to offload the England international.
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But despite Rashford being offered to several teams including Barcelona, both the transfer fee and his £350,000-a-week wages are a huge stumbling block.
Amorim delivered his most ominous assessment yet on Rashford's future after United's dismal defeat at the Molineux on Thursday.
Asked if Rashford has shown anything different since being left out, Amorim said: “If he's not there you can make a decision.
'It will always be for the same reason.
“We have to be the same professionals, I have to be the same guy who wins or loses.
“If I lose, I have to be stronger, so I will continue with my idea until the end.”
However, Juve coach Motta could still sign another Englishman, and that would be Milan centre-back Fikayo Tomori, for around £20 million.
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