Former Aston Villa chief Monchi has now opened up on conversations between Unai Emery and a player he was desperate to sign for some time.
Monchi has stepped down from his role as President of Football Operations at Villa Park, with Roberto Olabe replacing him in September 2025.
Prior to his exit, he worked closely with Unai Emery and recently revealed he nearly brought Marco Asensio back to Aston Villa after a loan spell during the 2024/25 season.
[
Click to subscribe to the podcast ](https://www.youtube.com/@BeyondTheBackFour?sub_confirmation=1)
Now, the Spaniard has commented on another ex-star whom Emery had been trying to sign for several years.
Aston Villa president of football operations Monchi.
Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images
Monchi shares what Unai Emery told Marcus Rashford before Aston Villa move
As quoted by Birmingham Live, Monchi admitted the Spanish coach had ‘always wanted’ Marcus Rashford.
He said: “Unai, when he had a conversation with Marcus, already told him: ‘Look, Marcus, I’m sure about you. We are going to give you the opportunity to play in the Premier League’.
“He was also a player that Unai has always wanted to have; in fact, before I arrived, they had been very close, before he left for Paris Saint-Germain,” Monchi said.
“It’s a player profile that Unai likes a lot, that number 10 who can play between the lines, who can unite the team, who has an inside pass, who has a goal. And well, between all of that, I think we convinced him.”
Rashford made 17 appearances, scored four goals, and provided six assists during his brief spell under Emery.
A permanent move was possible, but Manchester United wanted £40m for the Englishman.
With PSR concerns at Aston Villa, it’s not surprising that a transfer was not completed over the summer.
Marcus Rashford looks on during Barcelona's match with Real Sociedad in La Liga
Photo by David Ramirez/Soccrates/Getty Images
How Marcus Rashford is faring at FC Barcelona
But given how well the 27-year-old has started the 2025/26 campaign, some Villa fans may wish it did.
Rashford wants to join Barcelona permanently after a prolific start to his loan spell in Spain.
In just 12 appearances for the La Liga giants, he already has five goals and six assists to his name.
He most recently netted a brace as Barcelona hammered Olympiacos 6-1 in the Champions League on Tuesday.
It’s understood Rashford could secure a permanent move to Spain for a fee of £26m.