‘Aston Villa line up replacements for Rashford and two other superstars’
Aston Villa are exploring their options to replace Marcus Rashford as part of a potential overhaul, according to their former senior scout.
Mick Brown, who also worked as the chief scout at Man United and Blackburn and remains very well-connected at his former clubs, exclusively told Football Insider that Unai Emery is determined not to see his squad weakened this summer.
Meanwhile, they have also begun assessing alternatives to Marco Asensio and Ollie Watkins, both of whom could be allowed to leave the club.
Brown told Football Insider on 8 May that Asensio “will return to Paris Saint-Germain” amid concerns about his fitness levels.
Liverpool and Arsenal want to sign Ollie Watkins, while Rashford wants to join Barcelona after his loan spell, leading to further uncertainty at Villa Park.
Emery and his recruitment team have already begun working behind the scenes to identify replacements for all three key players and failure to land their targets would be a “major blow”.
Aston Villa work on Rashford, Watkins, Asensio replacements
Football Insider revealed on 2 May that Aston Villa could sell big-name players to make way for incoming deals as Emery aims to strengthen his squad.
Brown, who has a wealth of experience in top-level player recruitment after over a decade at Man United during their most successful period, has insisted that Villa are already putting plans in place and are prepared to see the likes of Rashford leave.
“Rashford is expected to leave and Asensio is another who is going,” he told Football Insider.
“The other one there’s been a lot of whispers about is Ollie Watkins, because Arsenal and Liverpool have both been looking at him.
“So that’s three of their current starting XI going out of the door if that happens.
“That type of situation is a lot for any team to accommodate for.
“They’re already looking for replacements, because if you lose three key players you have to bring players in who can fill the gaps they leave.
“If they can’t it will be a major blow to their chances.
“Who those players are, they will know already, but it’s about whether they can get it done.
“The manager doesn’t want to weaken his squad if they’re going to be in the Champions League again, so I expect them to be busy if players are going to leave.”
Chelsea plot move to sign Ezri Konsa
Rashford, Asensio and Watkins are not the only players who could be leaving Villa Park this summer amid growing speculation about a potential overhaul.
Brown told Football Insider on 13 May that Chelsea have set their sights on Ezri Konsa as an option to resolve their defensive issues.
Scouts have been keeping an eye on his performances at Villa Park and there is now a belief he could be part of a major defensive overhaul at Stamford Bridge.
This comes after Brown told Football Insider in February that Chelsea want to sign a new centre-back as a priority ahead of the summer window.
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