Aston Villa have reportedly opened talks to sign Marcus Rashford as they consider a late move for the Manchester United outcast.
The 27-year-old is out of favour under Ruben Amorim and is open to leaving Old Trafford on loan after revealing his desire to take on a new challenge in December.
The England international has attracted interest from AC Milan, Borussia Dortmund and Barcelona, but no deal has materialised with only four days left to go until the February 3 transfer deadline.
According to The Athletic, Villa have made an approach and entered talks with United on ‘personal request’ from boss Unai Emery, who is set to lose Jhon Duran to Al-Nassr.
The report adds that Rashford ‘would need convincing’ to move to Villa Park on loan, as he would prefer to either join Barcelona or stay with his boyhood club United.
But neither of those options look likely for Rashford, with Ruben Amorim making it clear that the forward will not be considered for selection until he improves his performances in training.
The Portuguese coach even suggested he would prefer to select his goalkeeping coach Jorge Vital on the bench rather than a player who isn’t giving their best, with an obvious nod to Rashford’s exclusion from the squad.
If Villa are unsuccessful in signing Rashford, Emery has also sounded out late moves for Chelsea attacker Joao Felix and PSG winger Marco Asensio.
The pair both unhappy with their lack of playing time at their respective clubs and long-term targets for the Spaniard.
Emery will have funds to spend to bring in another attacker to replace Duran, who is undergoing a medical at Al-Nassr ahead of his £64million switch.
The Colombian, 21, is poised to finalise his switch to the Saudi Arabian outfit – representing the club’s second-biggest sale in their history – and Emery will be backed to find a replacement.
Rashford would represent an important financial investment for Villa, considering his reported £300,000-a-week wages at Old Trafford and potential fee to take him on a temporary deal from United.
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