Marcus Rashford deal close to collapse in new Aston Villa twist
Aston Villa will struggle to sign Marcus Rashford if they do not qualify for the Champions League, sources have told Football Insider.
Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, senior correspondent Pete O’Rourke revealed that the deal will prove “very difficult” to pull of without a financial boost given the 27-year-old’s wage demands.
As things stand, Villa are just three points shy of a Champions League position but their inferior goal-difference has placed them in a tough spot.
Football Insider revealed on 31 March that Villa face paying £130million over five years in wages and transfer fee if they sign Rashford at his current £350,000-a-week salary.
The initial £40million buy-out clause in his loan deal is seen as a good deal for Unai Emery’s side, but his wages have made the move expensive.
As a result, Football Insider revealed Rashford will have to take a wage cut to join Aston Villa permanently in the summer window.
Marcus Rashford’s stance on Aston Villa move emerges
Alongside the financial boost it would bring, Rashford is believed to be keen on playing Champions League football this season and will prioritise playing in the competition.
Former Man United, Villa and Spurs scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that Rashford does not want to join Tottenham and he wants to play at the top level.
Since joining Emery’s side on loan, the England international has made 17 appearances (ten starts) across all competitions, scored four goals and provided six assists.
That has inspired interest from the likes of Paris Sant-Germain, while Barcelona and Bayern Munich were chasing his signature in January.
Meanwhile, Man United are keen to move Rashford on to help boost their own funds before they pursue a move for Wolves star Matheus Cunha.
Unai Emery to make Marco Asensio decision after PSG loan
Alongside Rashford, fellow Villa loanee Marco Asensio has been subject to speculation about his long-term future and whether a permanent move to Villa Park is possible.
Football Insider revealed that Aston Villa will explore signing Kevin de Bruyne in place of Asensio when he leaves the Etihad upon the expiry of his contract.
Asensio, 29, made a sensational early impact on loan at Villa but he has gone off the boil in recent weeks and the club are not convinced about the costs of signing him permanently.
This comes after Brown told Football Insider that Villa were planning to sign Asensio on a permanent deal after his impressive start to life in England.
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