Aston Villa 'exploring alternatives' to Marcus Rashford as £50m Man United transfer option emerges
Marcus Rashford faces an uncertain future at Manchester United
Aston Villa have been dealt a blow in their hopes of Champions League qualification after learning about a season-ending hamstring blow to in-form forward Marcus Rashford.
The 27-year-old is expected to miss Villa’s last four games of the season with crucial tests against Fulham, Bournemouth, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United all on the horizon in a crucial final furlong in the push for qualification for football on the continent next term.
Rashford has been a major hit with fans since his arrival from United in January. He has scored four times and contributed six assists in 17 appearances - and was a star performer against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League quarter-final win at Villa Park, which unfortunately for Unai Emery’s side wasn’t enough to send the team through on aggregate after a challenging first leg in the French capital.
The England international’s latest injury leaves much of the pressure on top scorer Ollie Watkins to deliver the goods in the final weeks of the season, while it could also mean that Villa have seen the star in action for the last time.
Marcus Rashford faces uncertain future at Aston Villa - report
When Aston Villa agreed to loan Marcus Rashford in January they had a £40m option to buy clause inserted into the deal which would allow Unai Emery to acquire the winger on a permanent basis if he impressed him.
This is an option, as opposed to an obligation, which was seen as a wise decision by the Lions, due to Rashford’s hot and cold form towards the end of his tenure at United and the view from Ruben Amorim that he wasn’t the best at conducting himself in training.
However, despite proving he is more than capable of living up to that price tag with a series of stellar performances in the West Midlands, Rashford is reportedly undecided on whether he wants to make the move to Villa permanent, with TEAMtalk reporting that the 27-year-old is interested in exploring options overseas, specifically with Spanish giants Barcelona, who had been linked with the England star over the winter.
What next for Marcus Rashford?
Most Aston Villa fans would be keen to see Marcus Rashford stay on board as the club continue to strive for success in the Premier League while working towards ending their major trophy drought which stretches all the way back to the League Cup under Brian Little in 1996.
It could become particularly important for the club to keep Rashford on board if Ollie Watkins does seek a move away from the West Midlands amid reports of interest from Arsenal and the striker admitting he was furious at being dropped for the Champions League quarter-final.
Most United fans also see the relationship between Rashford and Ruben Amorim as irreparable although there are still some figures behind the scenes that’d like Rashford back in the squad after the team’s dreadful season and their overall lack of goal threat, particularly since his exit.
United agreed to give Villa a £40m option to buy clause, but reports from TEAMtalk add that the club are likely to charge £50m to any potential suitors if he does decide to reject Villa’s initial approach.