Marcus Rashford transfer latest, shock Aston Villa 'interest', Barcelona stance and Man United call
Aston Villa have emerged as the latest club linked with a move for Marcus Rashford ahead of Monday's transfer deadline day.
Unai Emery's side are set to lose forward Jhon Duran to Saudi Arabia side Al-Nassr while Ollie Watkins has been the subject of interest from Arsenal. Now the Villains have been credited with an interest in Rashford.
The England international has not played in United's past 12 matches and he has been omitted from all but one of their matchday squads during that run. He has managed a meagre 15 club goals since he signed a five-year contract with United in July 2023.
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United boss Ruben Amorim has repeatedly said that until he sees an improvement from Rashford in training that the 27-year-old will continue to be overlooked, although he softened his stance on the eve of United's Europa League win against FCSB, admitting United "are a better team with Marcus Rashford." Spanish giants Barcelona are long-time admirers of Rashford and are also open to signing the frontman. Here's the latest on the forward's future.
Barcelona stance
Barcelona are hesitant about forcing through a loan move for Marcus Rashford this month but would be interested in signing the Manchester United forward permanently in the summer.
Sources say Deco, the Barcelona sporting director, is not overly eager to conclude a deal for Rashford before Monday's transfer deadline.
Barcelona have the budget to facilitate a loan move for Rashford but would also have to sell two players within the next three days. United have held discussions with a Spanish agency regarding a potential transfer.
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Villa interest
Villa are reportedly considering a move for Rashford in the final few days of the January transfer window. The Athletic have claimed Emery's men could make a move for Rashford given Duran is close to joining Al Nassr while Watkins is the subject of interest from Arsenal.
Rashford, 27, earns £325,000-a-week at United and his salary has so far prevented him from leaving the club six weeks on from when he publicly outlined his desire for a "new challenge".
United are reluctant to pay the majority of Rashford's wages for a loan move as they feel they should not foot the bill for a player who wants to leave the club.
United's bargaining position with Rashford was weakened last week when head coach Ruben Amorim suggested he would rather play his 63-year-old goalkeeping coach, Jorge Vital, than Rashford.
United call
Amorim has told Marcus Rashford that Manchester United are a better team with the 27-year-old in the side, but he will only recall the absent forward when he makes the changes he is demanding.
With time running out for Rashford to secure a move away from the club this month and a loan switch to Barcelona looking difficult to pull off, the academy graduate could find himself still at United come the end of the January transfer window despite publicly expressing a desire to leave.
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