Juventus 'reject chance to sign Marcus Rashford' but want his Man Utd teammate instead in January transfer

Juventus have rejected the chance to sign Marcus Rashford, it has been claimed.

Last week, Rashford spoke of the possibility of leaving Manchester United, admitting he was “ready for a new challenge”.

His statement came after United boss Ruben Amorim left the player out of United’s squad for a 2-1 win over Manchester City, with the Portuguese boss insisting he had considered “Everything: training, performance, game performance, engagement with the team-mates, pushing the team-mates up” in his decision to omit the forward.

Rashford has not featured in a United game since.

On Friday, the Sun claimed Juventus have turned down an offer to sign Rashford.

Instead, the Turin side are said to be interested in his United team-mate, Joshua Zirkzee, who Juventus boss Thiago Motta managed at Bologna last season.

The Dutch forward has netted just four times in 26 appearances since his £36.5million summer move from Bologna.

The publication added that despite Rashford having been offered to several teams, including Barcelona, both the required transfer fee and wages are thought to be a huge stumbling block.

Amorim delivered an ominous verdict on Rashford's future after United's 2-0 defeat against Wolves on Boxing Day.

Asked if Rashford has shown anything different since being left out, Amorim replied: "If he is not here you can make up your mind. It’s always the same reason it’s going to be.

"We have to be the same professionals, I have to be the same guy winning or losing. Losing, I have to be stronger so I will continue with my idea until the end."

Motta managed Zirkzee at Bologna (Getty)

In an interview with Henry Winter last week, Rashford said: “For me, personally, I think I’m ready for a new challenge and the next steps.”

He added: “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.”