Marcus Rashford transfer update emerges as agent talks take place
Aston Villa’s chances of signing Marcus Rashford this summer have been dealt a significant blow.
Rashford has impressed during his loan spell at Villa Park and it is understood that the Birmingham outfit had a potential option to buy the forward for £40million.
However, that clause did not grant Villa first refusal, meaning that they will undoubtedly face competition if they are to secure his services.
Links with Barcelona simply won’t go away, and with the Villans having missed out on Champions League football on the final day of the season, Rashford’s future remains a huge concern at B6.
Barcelona open talks with Rashford’s agent
Unai Emery will definitely have wanted to add Rashford to his plans for next season, after the way he has performed in the last months, but with the Blaugrana now progressing their interest, that seems unlikely at this moment in time.
Barcelona have already held discussions with both Rashford’s entourage and his agent, Pini Zahavi over a potential move to the Nou Camp, according to Sacha Tavolieri (31 May).
Joan Laporta, the president of the Spanish giants, is hoping to table the offer of a five-year contract to the attacker in order to align with Rashford’s own requirements.
The five-time European champions are believed to see the England international as an ideal option to play at the centre of their attack, and to link up with Raphinha and Lamine Yamal on either flank.
Rashford has had a pricetag of around £40m placed on him by his parent club, and Barcelona seem intent on matching that figure.
Villa should turn their attention to other targets
Villa likely would have fancied their chances of bringing Rashford in on a permanent basis, given the success of his recent loan spell.
However, although the 27-year-old’s future at Manchester United seems all but decided, the Villans now appear set to lose out on him to the newly-crowned La Liga champions.
| Competition | Apps | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
| Premier League | 10 | 2 | 2 |
| Champions League | 4 | – | 2 |
| FA Cup | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| Total | 17 | 4 | 5 |
It won’t be easy for them to give up their pursuit of a player who has been so impressive for them, but it may be the better option given their financial position.
The B6 outfit have growing concerns that they could breach the Premier League’s PSR restrictions, meaning that the last thing they need right now is to end up competing with a superclub in terms of wages.
Barcelona have had to endure their own set of financial difficulties in recent years, but they will likely have been eased somewhat, having won their domestic league and made the semi-finals of the Champions League this season.
Rashford is thought to be desperate to move to Catalunia, and is even willing to take a pay cut if needs be.
Villa’s own Champions League near miss has served as a setback to their transfer aspirations, and with the Blaugrana now having taken a big step towards signing Rashford, it may be best for them to concede and turn their attention elsewhere.