Aston Villa executives are “increasingly convinced” Marcus Rashford will sign for Paris Saint-Germain this summer as the race for the Manchester United forward cranks up amongst Europe’s elite, according to a report.
Sources at Villa Park have told Football Insider the club is resigned to losing Rashford at the end of the season when his loan ends with Ligue 1 champions PSG in “pole position” to sign the 27-year-old forward.
The Villains retain a £40 million buy-option to make Rashford’s switch to Birmingham a permanent one but, increasingly, it appears the England international harbours aspirations of a move to one of the continent’s heavyweights this summer.
Liga leaders Barcelona are thought to be a “dream move” for Rashford after the Catalan club expressed an interest in signing him on loan in the January transfer window.
Ultimately, the Carrington graduate’s wage packet at Old Trafford – believed to be worth in excess of £350,000 a week – proved too costly for Barcelona and a deal never progressed beyond initial discussions.
However, as relayed by The Peoples Person, Rashford is thought to be willing to accept a cut to his salary to help force through a move to Camp Nou.
Barcelona are reported to be willing to re-enter negotiations with United over a summer swoop but are “reluctant” to meet the Mancunian side’s £40 million asking price for the forward, though a deal may prove more feasible with a significant decrease in wage demands.
Officials at Villa Park are reportedly resigned to the fact Rashford will not join permanently. But, interestingly, they believe PSG have jumped the queue for the Englishman ahead of the Spanish giant.
“The Ligue 1 champions have a long-held interest in Rashford – who has no future at Man United after clashing with manager Ruben Amorim,” Football Insider contends.
“Villa agreed a £40million option to buy clause when they signed Rashford on loan from Man United in February. However, any move is dependent on the forward’s approval – and Villa believe Champions League semi-finalists PSG are in pole position to agree a blockbuster deal.”
Old Trafford executives are keen to shift Rashford this summer after his dispute with Amorim, given the transfer fee the 27-year-old could command will constitute ‘pure profit’ from a PSR perspective due to his status as an academy player, as well as the enormous saving in wages his exit would engender.
United’s first-team squad is in desperate need of a comprehensive overhaul to help Amorim transform the team’s fortunes after a dismal season for the club. The boost provided by Rashford’s exit – whether it is Birmingham, Barcelona, or Paris – would be almost invaluable to this plan.
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Darragh Fox
Darragh is a writer for The Peoples Person who spent three years as a history graduate slowly realising football was by far the most interesting thing to write about.
