Aston Villa set to complete Marcus Rashford loan deal: Details
What's the story
Aston Villa are on the brink of sealing a loan deal for Marcus Rashford from Manchester United. The deal is still being negotiated, with a possible option for Villa to buy Rashford in the summer. As part of the deal, Aston Villa will take on a large chunk of Rashford's wages during his time at Villa Park. As per Fabrizio Romano, Rashford has agreed personal terms with Aston Villa. The deal is now imminent.
Transfer strategy
Villa's strategic move follows Duran's departure
The move for Rashford comes after Villa sold Jhon Duran to Al-Nassr. Duran completed a massive £64m deal to the Saudi Pro League club on Friday. Apart from Rashford, Unai Emery's side has also expressed interest in Paris Saint-Germain's Marcos Asensio and Chelsea's Joao Felix. This was confirmed by Monchi, Villa's president of football operations. The move is viewed as part of a wider strategy to bolster the squad after recent player exits.
Career crossroads
Rashford's future at Manchester United uncertain
Rashford hasn't featured for Manchester United, his boyhood club, in seven weeks, since their Europa League clash against Viktoria Plzen. Last month, the England international had said he was ready for a new challenge. His agent was in talks with AC Milan. The likes of Barcelona and Borussia Dortmund showed interest before pulling out owing to the player's massive salary. Rashford has been training with the first team but manager Ruben Amorim is still not happy with the forward.
Managerial friction
Tensions rise between Rashford and United's boss
Reports also indicate a rift between Rashford and Manchester United boss Amorim. After last weekend's 1-0 victory at Fulham, Amorim suggested he would rather have United's 63-year-old goalkeeping coach in his squad than Rashford. Later on, Amorim stated the comment wasn't aimed solely at Rashford. Despite the tensions, Amorim also kept the door open for Rashford to win back his place in the first team, saying United are "a better team with Rashford" but he "has to change."
Transfer prospects
Aston Villa and another club show interest in Rashford
According to Sky Sports News's Dharmesh Sheth, only two viable proposals have been made for Rashford this transfer window- one from Aston Villa and another from an unnamed Premier League club. Other approaches required United to cover a large part of Rashford's wages, which they were unwilling to do. Despite Rashford's initial preference for Barcelona, a move to Villa would fulfill his ambition to play Champions League football.
Twitter Post
Twitter Post
🚨🟣🔵 Marcus Rashford has agreed personal terms with Aston Villa! Deal imminent after initial green light in the morning.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) February 1, 2025
Understand Villa and United are closing in on loan deal, discussing buy option clause.
Emery called Rashford, player attracted by project & UCL football. pic.twitter.com/KrAXusR4Ic