Aston Villa close on deal to loan Marcus Rashford from Manchester United

Aston Villa are close to agreeing a deal to sign Marcus Rashford on loan for the rest of the season, with Unai Emery driving the move to sign the out-of-favour Manchester United forward.

Villa have been exploring the market in that position after the departure of Jhon Durán, with Matheus Cunha, João Félix, Marco Asensio and Mathys Tel among the options considered. Villa regard Rashford as a low-risk signing given they are unlikely to pay a fee.

Villa are discussing potentially including an option to buy Rashford in the summer if the move proves fruitful. Rashford has been frozen out by Ruben Amorim at United, and has not made an appearance since 12 December, but a move to Villa would allow him to play in the Champions League and push for the top four.

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Villa have agreed to cover a significant portion of Rashford’s £365,000-a-week wages. Their highest earner is thought to be the goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez, at about £200,000 a week.

The deal is not completed and the next step is Rashford, who had been keen on a move to Barcelona, agreeing to the transfer before the window shuts at 11pm GMT on Monday. If Rashford joins Villa are expected to try to bring in a younger forward too. They are also targeting a central defender, with Chelsea’s Axel Disasi a live option.

Emery is an admirer of versatile players and Rashford’s experience playing centrally as a striker and on the flanks appeals to the Villa manager. Villa signed Donyell Malen, who can also play across the front line, from Borussia Dortmund last month. Emery believes he can tap into Rashford and help him recapture his best form.

Rashford has scored seven times this season, most recently a double at home to Everton at the start of December. Since his 30 goals in the 2022-23 campaign his numbers have dropped off significantly.

Rashford would link up at Villa with his England colleague Ollie Watkins, who is said by Emery to be happy to stay after Arsenal had a bid for the striker rejected. “Some players prefer to leave and some players accept to stay here, to be here and commit with us,” Emery said. “One of those is Ollie Watkins.”

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On Saturday United signed Ayden Heaven, an England youth international, from Arsenal. The 18-year-old centre-back has a deal until 2029, with the option of a further year, and United say he will immediately link up with the first-team squad. He made one Arsenal appearance, as a late substitute in October’s Carabao Cup win at Preston.

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