‘Marcus Rashford bitten by transfer reality as Man United close the door’
Marcus Rashford has a decision to make over his long-term future after spending the second half of the season on loan at Aston Villa.
The England international made the temporary switch to Villa Park from Manchester United in January, with a £40million option-to-buy clause included in the deal.
The 27-year-old has registered four goals and six assists in 17 appearances for Villa as they go in pursuit of Champions League qualification again this season.
Football Insider revealed on 21 April Villa are considering signing Rashford permanently and selling fellow forward Ollie Watkins for £50-60million.
The Mail reported on 23 April Rashford won’t make a decision about his future until mid-June at the earliest.
The newspaper said he doesn’t want to move to London and is keen to join a club competing in the Champions League.
Former Man City financial adviser Stefan Borson exclusively told Football Insider Rashford “holds all the cards” in some respects as his £325,000-a-week Man United deal is set to run until 2028.
Villa currently sit seventh in the Premier League table, while United are languishing in 14th following their disappointing campaign.
Marcus Rashford facing transfer blow after new reveal
Borson insisted Rashford won’t have too many options this summer due to his hefty wage demands.
He told Football Insider: “It depends whether he wants to play or not.
“If you take the view that he’s got his contract, in some respects because he has a contract that pays him £300,000-325,000 a week for another three years, in some ways he does hold all the cards and can dictate exactly what he likes.
“But of course, there is the reality of his career as well, and it seems that United and Amorim have made it clear that he has no future at United.
“If that is the case, then he has to find somebody that’s prepared to take him on. Now, that really doesn’t leave that many clubs in world football who are candidates to be able to do that deal, not if he won’t take a pay cut.
“If you take a pay cut, then it will open up other opportunities, but even then not many because even if you took him down to £250,000 there are not that many clubs that will pay that for a player.
“I don’t know why he would get an agent to sort of brief that out to the press. It seems a bit odd to me.”
| Appearances | 17 |
| Goals | 4 |
| Assists | 6 |
Aston Villa could agree Kevin De Bruyne deal
Football Insider revealed on 28 April Villa chiefs will back Unai Emery if he wants to sign Kevin De Bruyne on a free transfer this summer.
The 33-year-old is keen to stay at the highest level as he considers his next move, but his Man City deal is worth around £20million a year.
The Belgium international has already announced he will leave the Etihad once his contract expires on 30 June.
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