Marcus Rashford's exit clause in Man Utd contract expired on July 15. What happens next?

Any club hoping to sign Marcus Rashford must now negotiate a fee with Manchester United after the £40 million (€47.1m) exit clause in his contract expired on July 15.

As the World Cup comes to a close, Rashford is expected to return to his boyhood club in the coming weeks.

It has been an uncertain period for the 28-year-old, who joined Barcelona last summer on a season-long loan and featured regularly for the La Liga winners, notching 14 goals and 14 assists in all competitions.

At one stage it looked as if a permanent transfer was on the horizon, but after left-sided player Anthony Gordon joined Barca from Newcastle, Rashford's chances of joining the Catalan giants took a significant hit.

Eventually, the Spanish club decided against activating the €30 million (£25.9m) buy option in his season-long loan.

As things stand, Rashford will return to training with his fellow United teammates who were involved in the latter stages of the World Cup, but that scenario could have been different had a team bid £40 million for his signature.

Rashford had an exit clause in his contract that enabled him to leave United for £40 million this summer, and it could have been activated by any club other than Liverpool and Manchester City.

However, that clause expired on Wednesday (July 15), meaning any interested party will now have to negotiate with United.

As things stand, Marcus Rashford will return to Manchester United. Image credit: Getty

A report from The Athletic suggests the England international has turned down proposals that are more 'lucrative' than his current deal at Old Trafford.

Which other clubs have been linked with Rashford this summer?

Earlier this month, The i Paper reported that up to five clubs, including Newcastle United and Aston Villa, were monitoring Rashford's situation.

The forward is said to have been earmarked as a potential replacement for Anthony Gordon at St James' Park, although his reported £325,000-a-week wage could prove to be a stumbling block.

Regarding Villa's interest, he spent the second part of the 2024/25 season on loan at the Villains under Unai Emery.

When Rashford learned of his inclusion in England's World Cup squad this summer, he paid tribute to Emery for playing a key role in helping him get back into contention on the international stage.

What Marcus Rashford has said about his future

Speaking during his time at the World Cup with England, Rashford said he wanted his future to be resolved before this summer's tournament in the United States, Mexico and Canada.

"As a person, I live in the moment. I was very clear with everyone involved before the World Cup. I wanted it done before, and if not, then I won’t deal with it until after that," he said.

"I want to fully be present in this moment. At the same time we’re fighting for something. I don’t have energy to be putting into other things.