Aston Villa are reportedly interested in signing Manchester United’s out-of-favour striker Marcus Rashford, as the 27-year-old’s future at Old Trafford remains uncertain.
Rashford has not featured for United since being dropped by head coach Ruben Amorim for the Manchester derby on December 12. Amorim stated on Wednesday that he felt his team would be stronger with Rashford, but the player has not met the standards required for selection.
In recent weeks, Rashford’s representatives have held talks with several leading European clubs to gauge interest, and with the transfer deadline fast approaching on Monday, the England international’s future remains up in the air.
While it’s not entirely ruled out that Rashford could stay at United, a loan move appears to be the most likely option at this stage. Villa are one of the clubs keen on the forward, although it is unclear if formal talks have taken place with United, or whether Rashford would be open to the move.
Villa could offer Rashford the allure of Champions League football, with their top-eight finish in the league phase ensuring participation from March. However, Barcelona are also reportedly in the mix and are thought to be Rashford’s preferred destination, though no deal has yet materialized.
A key sticking point in any potential move will be Rashford’s wages—at over £300,000 per week, he is one of United’s highest earners. As the club looks to cut costs, United executives are focused on minimizing the financial burden of any transfer, whether loan or permanent.
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