Aston Villa ‘accelerate plan to sign Marcus Rashford for big fee’
Aston Villa are putting plans in place to make Marcus Rashford’s loan move permanent, according to their former scout.
Mick Brown, who worked as a scout at Villa and the chief scout at Man United, and remains very well-connected at his former clubs, exclusively told Football Insider that the 27-year-old is already proving his worth in Unai Emery’s side.
However, he will have to keep up a consistent level of performances before a potential big-money move is agreed for him to make the permanent move from Man United.
Brown explained that the environment and squad Emery has built at Villa Park has made them the “ideal” destination for the England international to get back to his best.
The former scout told Football Insider that Rashford must meet Emery’s demands amid pressure to live up to expectations and prove Ruben Amorim wrong.
So far, though, he has already shown the level of form and performances required to impress his manager and spark interest in a permanent deal.
Aston Villa prepare ‘big-money’ move to sign Marcus Rashford
In just four appearances and one start since his move to Villa Park, Rashford has picked up two assists and turned in a number of eye-catching performances.
Brown, who has a wealth of experience in top-level player recruitment after over a decade at Man United during their most successful period, explained that Villa are already preparing to make his loan spell permanent if this form continues.
“Marcus Rashford is a very, very good player,” he told Football Insider.
“What he does, and what he’s going so far for Aston Villa, is he gives them pace in behind.
“When they win the ball back, he’s off running between the full-back and centre-back, looking for the ball to be played over or through them.
“It’s a great out-ball for Villa’s midfield and defenders, because you can give him the ball and he’ll drag you further up the field.
“At Man United, he would do that, but then they’d expect him to be back covering straight away if they lost possession.
“At Villa, their team is more organised and set up in a way that he is still expected to get back, but there are players who are prepared to cover for him.
“That allows him to perform to his best level at what he does without worrying about everything else.
“It’s the ideal situation for him, really, and they’re getting the benefits of it already.
“He’ll have to keep up the form he has shown so far, but if he can do that there’s no reason they won’t want to keep him beyond this season.
“He’s doing all the things elite forwards can do – so on that basis I expect Villa will be putting plans in place to make a move in the summer.
“The only issue then is the money involved, because if he’s playing out of his skin, United are going to want a big fee for him.”
Unai Emery gives green light to Marco Asensio signing
On top of any potential deal for Rashford, Villa are also eyeing a more long-term move for Marco Asensio who joined on loan in the mid-season transfer window.
Brown told Football Insider on 18 February that Aston Villa are planning to sign Asensio permanently from PSG as Emery has been impressed by his displays on the pitch and in training.
The midfielder’s vast experience across some of Europe’s top teams including Real Madrid and PSG is also viewed as a valuable asset to Emery’s side.
The French giants, meanwhile, are keen to offload the 29-year-old for good and will welcome the opportunity to open talks come the summer.#
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