Aston Villa's Marcus Rashford
Aston Villa's Marcus Rashford
Aston Villa loanee Marcus Rashford is still 'appreciated' by those within the hierarchy of Barcelona - and they could make a move for the Manchester United forward this summer if a deal can be afforded and agreed.
Rashford has spent January onwards of this season at Villa from United, where he fell out of favour under the new regime and was cleared to leave in order to secure regular football elsewhere. Villa, who offered Champions League football, have proven to be an ideal temporary home for Rashford.
However, although Villa have the chance to sign him on a permanent deal for a fee in the region of £40m this summer, it appears to be unlikely that we'll see Rashford back at Villa Park again next season - and indeed ever again, unless he were to make a rapid recovery from his hamstring injury which has kept him sidelined for the last two games.
Rashford, per reports, has his heart set on a move to La Liga, where England counterparts Trent Alexander-Arnold and Jude Bellingham have just reunited at Real Madrid following confirmation that the former is leaving boyhood club Liverpool - but it is Barca where Rashford has admirers.
Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano said on his latest video: “At Barcelona, they still believe that Marcus Rashford could be an option for the summer transfer market. They believe, at Barcelona, that Rashford might be available on the market.
“Barcelona believe he could be a good solution because he can play as a number nine, he can play on the wing so he can help in several positions and he is a player who is appreciated by those at Barcelona.
“They wanted Rashford in January but it didn’t happen because Ansu Fati didn’t leave so because of financial fair play it was not possible to make a deal - but Marcus Rashford remains in the list of Barcelona. So if Rashford is not remaining at Aston Villa, we will see what happens. He is under consideration.”
Rashford is reported to be on in the region of £325,000 a week at United, where he still has three years remaining on that contract, and they're keen to move him off the books permanently this summer. Such wages, though, will make things tricky for any interested parties, including Villa who must toe the PSR line again this summer.
Villa must also decide on whether a permanent move for Marco Asensio, which would by comparison appear a more straightforward deal to complete, is both prudent and fits in with their long-term plans. The Spaniard wouldn't appear to have any future at parent club PSG.
What is Villa's priority in the summer window? Tell us HERE
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