Crystal Palace have emerged as an unlikely suitor for Marcus Rashford with Manchester United open to selling the English forward this summer, according to The Sun.
Rashford, 27, is currently on loan at Premier League rival Aston Villa after departing Old Trafford in January following a protracted dispute with head coach Ruben Amorim. The Midlands side hold a £40 million buy-option to make Rashford’s stay at Villa Park a permanent one come the end of the season.
And the 27-year-old’s form since swapping Manchester for Birmingham has impressed his new manager, Unai Emery, whose recommendation will be the defining one over Aston Villa’s decision in the summer.
Rashford has scored three goals and provided five assists in 13 games for his adopted side. He was even selected by Emery to start the crucial quarter-final clash with Paris Saint-Germain up front, in place of regular number nine Ollie Watkins.
All signs indicate Aston Villa will follow their manager’s guidance and look to activate their buy-option in the summer.
However, The Sun reveals Crystal Palace are keeping a close eye on Rashford should the Villains decide not to pursue a permanent deal ahead of their own “sensational swoop” for the United academy graduate.
The report states, “Eagles executives are monitoring the striker’s performances at Villa Park after he signed a loan deal from United in the January transfer window. A source told The Sun on Sunday that Palace are closely monitoring the situation and are interested in taking the player in the summer.”
The source is quoted as contending the Eagles are “keeping a very close eye” on Rashford with Selhurst Park officials viewing the 27-year-old as “exactly the kind of player they would love to attract.”
Unfortunately for Palace fans (or fortunately, depending on your viewpoint), there is virtually zero chance Rashford will be interested in a switch to the London club.
PSG continue to be linked with a move for the English forward while Rashford will undoubtedly be keen to explore whether teams such as AC Milan or Barcelona, who both expressed interested in a loan move in January, will revisit a deal in the summer.
Similarly, if Rashford is to remain within the Premier League, a permanent switch to Villa Park – where the 27-year-old looks to have regained his form and enthusiasm for football, as well as won the trust of his new manager – is the most likely option.
From United’s perspective, the Red Devils will be open to whichever team is willing to stump the money to sign Rashford with there thought to be little chance of a rekindling with Amorim at Old Trafford. But it will almost certainly not be Crystal Palace who win this particular race, despite whatever ambitions Eagles’ executives may hold.
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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.
