Alejandro Garnacho has been linked to Aston Villa, but Monchi is already targeting a better option
Real Betis winger Jesus Rodriguez
Real Betis winger Jesus Rodriguez(Image: Getty Images)
Alejandro Garnacho sparked a social media frenzy on Sunday night after posting a photo of himself wearing an Aston Villa shirt bearing the name 'Rashford 9'.
The winger appears eager to leave Manchester United, and the club appears just as willing to move on from the situation.
However, United are not prepared to let their academy graduate go cheaply. They’ve reportedly placed a £70 million price tag on Garnacho.
That valuation is expected to drop in the coming weeks, as few clubs are likely to meet such a steep asking price.
For even half of Garnacho’s reported fee, Aston Villa could target an exciting winger with plenty to offer Unai Emery’s squad.
One such player is Real Betis’ Jesús Rodríguez, a key target for Villa during this summer’s transfer window. He’s attracting widespread interest from across Europe.
RB Leipzig are also monitoring his situation, while Italian side Como - offering an ambitious project - have been pushing hard for his signature.
Rodríguez even held talks with Como manager Cesc Fàbregas earlier this month and was reportedly impressed by what the Spaniard had to say.
Villa, however, are confident they can persuade Rodríguez that a move to Villa Park would best support his development over the next 12 to 18 months.
Morgan Rogers serves as a prime example of what a young player can achieve under Emery’s guidance.
While Garnacho might benefit from working with Emery at this stage in his career, United’s lofty demands make him a difficult acquisition - especially with a talent like Rodríguez available for roughly half the price.
Reports from Spain suggest that a fee in the region of €35 million could be enough to secure the Spain Under-21 international.
The 18-year-old enjoyed a breakout campaign under Manuel Pellegrini last season and is widely regarded as a top prospect.
Rodríguez made 32 senior appearances in the 2024/25 season, including 21 in La Liga. He made his first-team debut in October in the Copa del Rey against CD Gévora.
He scored two league goals - one in just his fourth La Liga appearance against Alavés and another later in a 5–1 win over Real Valladolid.
Most notably, Rodríguez featured in 19 of Betis’ 20 La Liga matches after the turn of the year, underscoring his growing importance to the team.