Marcus Rashford medical booked as Aston Villa close in on Man Utd ace

Marcus Rashford has been penned in to have a medical at Aston Villa on Sunday following a breakthrough in talks with Man Utd, Birmingham World understands.

Unai Emery gave the green light for Villa to go all in for Rashford on Saturday morning to bolster his attacking options and talks progressed throughout the day. The 27-year-old will join on a loan deal until the end of the current season, with a buy option to be included.

Villa and United are still in dialogue over the terms of the buy option, with no figure disclosed just yet. Villa are eager to get Rashford’s medical tests completed before close of play on Sunday to avoid any complications before Monday’s deadline – and so the focus can swift to other incomings.

Following Emiliano Buendia’s loan move to Bayer Leverkusen - a deal that includes an option to buy for £17 million - the number 10 shirt is currently vacant at Villa Park. Rashford is expected to clinch the number - the same he’s adorned at Old Trafford for the last seven years - if he completes his move to B6.

Rashford, 60 times an appearance maker for the senior England national team, has racked up an extraordinary 426 appearances, 138 goals and 63 assists for Man Utd. The Red Devils academy product has never left his boyhood club, so this next move is a vitally important one.

Meanwhile, it’s understood interest remains in Marco Asensio and Joao Felix despite the expected arrival of Rashford. Options are also being considered to reinforce the defence, with Chelsea’s Axel Disasi among those on the shortlist.