Aston Villa are set to sign Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford on loan for the rest of the season, according to journalist Fabrizio Romano.
AC Milan, Borussia Dortmund, Barcelona, Arsenal and even West Ham were mentioned as potential suitors but the Villans have won the race for his signature. Writing on his X account, Romano said that they will pay 70% of the 27-year-old’s salary, with an option to buy for £40m at the end of the season:
🚨🟣🔵 Marcus Rashford to Aston Villa, here we go!
Agreement in place on loan deal with over 70% salary covered by Villa.
Buy option clause worth £40m also included in contract with potential three year and half deal to follow.
Medical booked today. pic.twitter.com/3z5EogHyPs
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) February 2, 2025
It is fair to say that the £40m figure has not gone down well among supporters on X with many believing that United should have held out for more:
40m is an absolute joke!
— Michäl 🔰 (@_red_7) February 2, 2025
I was actually happy about this cause I want him to improve, but that 40m buy option clause ruins everything
— Dlinxx (@Dlinxxfn) February 2, 2025
£40m is very cheap. At least £60m buy option
— Pedro (@pedrovulu) February 2, 2025
40 million, that it ??????
— Robert Lomas (@Bobbymrcheadle) February 2, 2025
40m for 9 yrs pl proven player is too less …. And with his prime age just around the corner ..
— AAMIR AMIRUDDIN (@aamirbana) February 2, 2025
40mil only????
— 21savage (@Storgaard18) February 2, 2025
Amorim’s stance put United in a difficult negotiating position
Considering that head coach Ruben Amorim said that he would pick his 63-year-old goalkeeping coach ahead of Rashford, the Red Devils were never going to get top dollar for him.
Teams knew that the club wanted to get rid of the player so the purchase clause figure is not that surprising. If he goes on to set the world alight at Villa Park, though, it is a price that United may live to regret.
Rashford’s replacement could arrive from Villa
It is believed that Bayern Munich’s Mathys Tel and Aston Villa’s Leon Bailey are the two players who could fill the void left by the England international.
Tel is also in talks with Arsenal but United may have the upper hand in that they can guarantee regular starts. Considering the deal they gave Villa for Rashford, an agreement for Bailey is, though, likely to be more straightforward.
Find out who is in Manchester United’s first-team squad for the 2024/2025 season here