- Aston Villa are interested in a loan move for Marcus Rashford before the deadline
- Villa could turn to Rashford, with Jhon Duran sealing a £65m move to Al Nassr
- LISTEN NOW: It’s All Kicking Off! Ollie Watkins to Arsenal? It’s terrible planning from Arsenal… it’s all a bit late and panicked from the Gunners!
Aston Villa have declared an interest in signing Manchester United’s out-of-favour striker Marcus Rashford.
The 27-year-old had been pinning his hopes on a move to Barcelona should he leave Old Trafford but with that prospect diminishing, Premier League rivals Villa have stepped into the chase for his signature.
A move to Villa Park would need substantial compromises on Rashford’s image rights plus his £360,000 a week salary.
He has not featured for United since being dropped by head coach Ruben Amorim for the Manchester derby on December 12 and has faced repeated criticism about his lifestyle choices and attitude towards training.
Amorim said on Wednesday he felt his side would be better with Rashford in it, but the player had not met the standards he demands of his squad.
Rashford’s representatives have met a number of leading European clubs over the past few weeks in an effort to gauge interest. Barcelona, Galatasaray, Borussia Dortmund and Juventus have all held discussions and United want clarity to pursue their own targets with Bayern Munich’s Mathys Tel, who on Friday rejected Tottenham, one such option.
Aston Villa have entered the race to sign Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford
United are looking to bring in Rashford as Jhon Duran completes his switch to Al-Nassr
Villa manager Unai Emery is interested in bringing in United forward Rashford on loan
Villa want to add at least one attacking player before the window closes after selling Jhon Duran to Al Nassr for £64.5million. They also remain determined to fend off Arsenal’s advances for Ollie Watkins.
They have discussed moves for Chelsea’s Joao Felix, Marco Asensio, of Paris Saint-Germain, Wolves’ captain Matheus Cunha and Bayern Munich’s Tel.
Arsenal are expected to bid again for Watkins, but Villa boss Unai Emery, asked whether he could state that the England striker was not for sale, said: ‘Yes, yes. We talked with him and he is very focused on the message we have.
‘He is happy to stay. You can ask him, but we asked him how he is feeling every day, every year he has been here with Aston Villa, with us and without us.’
