Aston Villa are reportedly closing in on a loan deal for Marcus Rashford from Manchester United, with manager Unai Emery playing a pivotal role in this potential acquisition. This move comes in the wake of the recent departure of Jhon Durán, prompting Villa to actively search for reinforcements in the forward position. Among the various options Villa has considered are players such as Matheus Cunha, João Félix, Marco Asensio, and Mathys Tel. However, Villa views Rashford as a low-risk option due to the likelihood of not having to pay a transfer fee.
The 27-year-old forward is expected to undergo a medical examination on Sunday, signaling a step closer to finalizing the deal. The club is also exploring the possibility of including an option to purchase Rashford in the summer if his loan spell proves successful. Having fallen out of favor with Manchester United’s coach Ruben Amorim, Rashford has not appeared in any competitive fixtures since December 12. Joining Aston Villa would provide him the chance to participate in European competitions, as Villa aims for a place in the Champions League and the top four of the Premier League.
Aston Villa has reportedly agreed to cover a large portion of Rashford’s substantial weekly wages, which stand at £365,000. In comparison, the club’s highest earner, goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez, is believed to earn around £200,000 per week. Despite Rashford’s initial interest in a move to Barcelona, it appears that unless there is a last-minute twist, he will officially join Villa before the transfer window closes at 11 PM GMT on Monday.
Should Rashford sign, Villa is also looking to recruit a younger forward to bolster their attacking options further. In addition, the club is in the market for a central defender, with Chelsea’s Axel Disasi still under consideration. Emery’s preference for versatile players aligns well with Rashford’s ability to play both as a central striker and on the wings, making him an appealing choice for the Villa manager. Recently, Villa acquired Donyell Malen from Borussia Dortmund, who also possesses the capability of playing in various attacking roles.
Emery is confident that he can work with Rashford to help him regain his best form, which has dipped since his impressive performance during the previous season when he netted 30 goals. This season, Rashford has managed to register seven goals, with his last notable performance being a brace against Everton at the beginning of December.
Moving to Aston Villa would not only grant Rashford more playing time but also the chance to partner with Oliver Watkins, an England teammate. Emery indicated that Watkins is content to remain at Villa despite Arsenal’s unsuccessful bid for him. Commenting on Watkins’ commitment, Emery said, “Some players prefer to leave, and some players accept to stay here, to be here and commit with us. One of those is Ollie Watkins.
In the context of Rashford’s potential transfer, Manchester United made headlines with the recent signing of Ayden Heaven, an 18-year-old centre-back from Arsenal. Heaven has signed a contract that will keep him at United until 2029, with an option for an additional year, and he is expected to join the first-team setup immediately. He made his solitary appearance for Arsenal as a late substitute during their Carabao Cup victory over Preston in October.
The anticipated arrival of Rashford at Aston Villa could serve to rejuvenate his career, as he has struggled for consistency this season under Manchester United’s new management. The chance to play regularly in a competitive Premier League side, alongside talented players such as Watkins and Malen, could help him find his rhythm and confidence again.
