For the first time, the Rangers have said that they are talking about a possible takeover with American investors, including the San Francisco 49ers. In the beginning of this year, there were rumors of interest, but the Ibrox club said that "productive conversations" are still going on. In a joint statement, Rangers also added that the potential investors are looking for a controlling stake.
Although sources close to negotiations previously stated that a deal was anticipated to be completed between April and June, neither party has mentioned a timeline for any deal's conclusion. The statement said: "Rangers and its existing controlling shareholders are in productive conversations with the two lead members of the Consortium, Andrew Cavenagh and 49ers Enterprises Global Football Group, about the potential for the Consortium to acquire control of the club and to inject additional capital.
"These discussions reflect a shared recognition of the significance of the long-term direction, goals, and management of Rangers FC." BBC Sport previously reported that Paraag Marathe, the Leeds United chairman and the force behind 49ers Enterprises - the investment wing of the 49ers NFL franchise - is a key player in the prospective Rangers takeover.
The Elland Road team was promoted to the Premier League just two days prior to this development. 49ers Enterprises has full control of Leeds after a £170m takeover in July 2023.
Kevin Thelwell, Everton's director of football, has been appointed as Rangers' new sporting director. The 51-year-old Englishman has already confirmed he is leaving the Merseyside club this summer.
After losing to Athletic Bilbao 2-0 earlier this month, the Ibrox team's hopes of winning the Europa League came to an end. As their city rivals Celtic prepare to win their 55th title and possibly their ninth treble, there are only five league games left. Despite what they called "record revenue and income figures" for the year up to June, Rangers recorded a net loss of £17.2 million in October 2024. Since the second half of 2023, private discussions have been taking place regarding the possibility of selling Rangers. At the club, those in charge have come to realize that they were "running out of road" in terms of energy and finances since then. Marcus Rashford feels it is unlikely he will play for Manchester United again under Ruben Amorim, but will not be rushed into making a decision about his future.
Tuesday's 2-1 defeat at Manchester City saw Rashford score his fourth goal since joining Aston Villa on loan in February. The striker's loan deal at Villa Park expires at the end of the season.
But while his United contract is due to run until 2028, and it is not completely out of the question Rashford might return, sources close to the player do not see an obvious way back into the Old Trafford fold.
After Amorim removed Rashford from the first team in December, he did not include him in his matchday squad again, with the exception of the home defeat at Newcastle on December 30 when he was used as a substitute. In the wake of the Villa move, Amorim said: "I couldn't get Marcus to see the way you're supposed to play football and to train the way I see it."
It means United will have to decide whether to sell the 27-year-old or let him move away from the club on another loan deal this summer.
As United - and Amorim - are trying to juggle their finances in order to reshape a squad so it fits with the former Sporting boss' preferred style of play, having clarity over one of their most highly paid players would be beneficial.
But it doesn't seem likely. Rashford has ruled out the possibility of moving to London, and ideally would join a club that has qualified for the Champions League.
The player's close friends insist Rashford hasn't discussed his future yet and doesn't plan to until the middle of June. However, it is understood he has no interest in being part of a swap deal - after recent speculation around United's interest in Crystal Palace forward Eberechi Eze.
Rashford is a more attractive proposition for potential suitors than he was when he joined Villa on 2 February.
While four goals in 17 games could not be regarded as prolific, his overall contribution - including six assists - to the Villa cause has been significant.
It has caused Ollie Watkins, a fellow international, to be frustrated on the Villa substitutes bench and earned Rashford a recall to the England team. After his excellent performance against Paris St. Germain last week, United is in a much better position than its ongoing struggles to compete for a Champions League spot in Saturday's FA Cup semi-final matchup with Crystal Palace. Rashford is one of United's highest-paid players, so not many teams could match his salary. However, United did fund part of his wages to push the Villa move through and the feeling around the Rashford camp is there is likely to be significant interest in him in the summer, which is when he wants to assess his options.
Villa boss Unai Emery has been cautious about discussing Rashford's future at the club.
After Villa lost to City, Emery said, "I am so happy with him." He is doing extremely well. His quick acclimatization and dedication to the process are crucial for both him and us. "He needs to keep going, and hopefully he can help again on Saturday."
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