Aston Villa are on the verge of finalising a significant loan deal with Manchester United for forward Marcus Rashford, who has recently expressed a desire to leave Old Trafford. With the January transfer window set to close on Monday night, Rashford is eager to secure a move following his declaration on New Year's Eve regarding his wish to depart.
While Barcelona has emerged as Rashford's preferred destination, interest has also been shown by AC Milan, Borussia Dortmund, Juventus, and Napoli. However, the forward's substantial wage demands, coupled with a recent dip in form, have complicated potential transfers. Until Aston Villa's intervention, it appeared increasingly likely that Rashford would remain at Manchester United for the remainder of the season.
Unai Emery's side made their interest known last Friday, with the head coach reportedly having "personally requested" Rashford's signing after Jhon Duran's transfer to Al Nassr. David Ornstein of The Athletic has indicated that the two Premier League clubs are "close to an agreement," suggesting that a "buy option" may be included in the proposed arrangement. Ornstein stated, "Aston Villa are close to agreeing a deal to sign Marcus Rashford on loan from Manchester United." He further noted that while the move is not yet fully finalised, progress has been made on various aspects, including financial terms and player negotiations.
The prospect of joining Aston Villa is particularly appealing for Rashford, not least because of the opportunity to play in the Champions League, with Emery fully endorsing the move. It is anticipated that Villa will cover a significant portion of Rashford's wages, alongside performance-related bonuses. Emery holds Rashford in high regard, describing him as "one of the world's most dangerous attacking players," and believes he can help the England international rediscover his best form.
Adding to this, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that "a deal is close," revealing that negotiations are now entering the final stages. He remarked, "Marcus Rashford and Aston Villa, deal close as negotiations are now progressing to the final stages. Loan move until June, salary covered, and discussions ongoing about buy clause." Rashford has reportedly engaged in discussions with Emery, indicating his awareness of Villa's keen interest.
As noted by Football365, Emery has reportedly "given the green light" for the club to pursue Rashford, underscoring Villa's serious intent as the transfer window approaches its conclusion. This potential move could signal a fresh chapter for Rashford, allowing him to revitalise his career in a new environment, and it is a development that many Villa supporters will welcome with enthusiasm.