- Villa have turned to Rashford after Jhon Duran sealed a £65m move to Al Nassr
- Emery’s side will cover a significant part of forward’s £360,000 a week salary
- 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 are close to agreeing a deal to sign Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford on loan.
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 up the chase for his signature.
Rashford is expected to join Unai Emery’s side before Monday’s deadline, with all parties still in talks to iron out further details.
The deal is likely to include a buy option and Villa will cover a significant part of the forward’s £360,000-a-week salary.
Rashford 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.
Aston Villa are close to agreeing a deal to sign Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford
Unai Emery’s side will cover a significant part of forward’s £360,000 a week salary
Aston Villa are to bolster their attack after selling Jhon Duran to Al Nassr for £64.5million
Villa have been keen 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.’
