Aston Villa left with ‘no brainer’ Marcus Rashford deal as voluntary wage cut mooted

Aston Villa have been urged to bring Marcus Rashford back to B6.

The England international joined the Villans on loan from Manchester United in January 2025 and had a positive stint in claret and blue.

After plenty of struggles at Old Trafford, the 28-year-old was welcomed to Villa Park with open arms and made good on his chance.

Unai Emery’s side ultimately missed out on Champions League qualification and didn’t bring Rashford back on a permanent deal.

It now looks as if he could be available when his Barcelona loan deal ends, something which could open him up to a Midlands return in the summer.

Aston Villa Marcus Rashford goal stats
credit: Imago

Aston Villa have perfect chance to re-sign Marcus Rashford

Reports have emerged at Camp Nou suggesting the Catalan giants could move to sign the Englishman permanently for £26million.

That fee is seemingly viewed as being too good to turn down, but could be utilised as a way for Barca to make an instant profit.

Villa could swoop in and bring Rashford back to the Premier League if there is a deal to be done with Barcelona.

Former B6 scout Bryan King was left surprised when the forward didn’t sign for the Villans last summer, but can see him taking a pay cut to finalise a deal in the summer.

Speaking exclusively to Villa News, King said: “I think Aston Villa should have signed him after what he did there.

“I think it was a mistake for Villa not to sign him, and I know Barcelona is Barcelona.

Aston Villa Marcus Rashford Barcelona stats

“At the end of the day, Villa bailed him out back then because he wasn’t playing at Manchester United.

“I still say Villa rescued Rashford’s career, and it surprises me that they gave him up. If they can get a deal over the line for him in the summer, it’s a no-brainer.

“They already had a perfect chance to sign him because he would have taken a cut in his wages to join Villa.”

Rashford would transform Aston Villa right now

It is hugely frustrating that the Man United loanee didn’t stick around in claret and blue, given his massive levels of quality.

That is especially the case with Villa struggling in forward areas right now, with Leon Bailey coming back to add extra cover.

Rashford would be the jewel in the crown of this Villa squad right now, but is now seen as one that got away and is thriving at Barcelona.

If there is any chance that a deal can be sealed in the summer, Emery and Co. would be wise to do everything they can to make it happen.

Rashford is the pace, power and true attacking quality that Villa are missing right now, so getting him back should be seen as a priority.

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