Manchester United are already thinking about a permanent exit for Marcus Rashford after sending him on loan last month.
Marcus Rashford was allowed to leave Manchester United on loan during the January transfer window, despite Ruben Amorim’s squad being short on attacking options.
The 28-year-old made a promising start at Aston Villa with two positive cameos off the bench before earning a place in the starting lineup against Liverpool last week.
While some criticised his defensive contribution in the build-up to Trent Alexander-Arnold’s goal that night, Rashford quickly redeemed himself with an impressive performance on the weekend.
Coming off the bench against Chelsea with Villa trailing 1-0 at halftime, the United loanee made an instant impact, assisting Marco Asensio twice in a 2-1 victory.
United exploring Rashford swap deal
When the season concludes, United will have to consider what happens with Rashford. It seems very unlikely that he remains at Old Trafford.
Villa reportedly have an option to buy the player at around £40 million, but if he continues his solid form, the forward will likely be attracting a host of interest in the summer.
Bayern Munich could be one of those clubs after previously being linked to the player, and a potential swap deal could be on the cards.
According to a report from CaughtOffside, the Reds are actively “exploring” a swap deal that would see Rashford move to Bayern, with Aleksandar Pavlovic heading the other way.
It was explained that United would need to include a “supplementary fee” in the deal as the German midfielder is valued slightly higher than Rashford, who would be available for around £40 million.
Pavlovic described as young Xavi Alonso
Pavlovic, who came through the Bayern academy, has started 20 games so far this season. He is a deeper midfielder who United believe could be a “key figure they could build their squad around in the coming years”.
United are likely to lose Christian Eriksen and Casemiro after the season concludes, which will leave them light in the middle of the park.
Bayern’s president Herbert Hainer is a huge fan of Pavlovic though, recently comparing the 20-year-old to a “young Xabi Alonso”.
He said: “Pavlovic, with his calmness and passing accuracy, is sometimes reminiscent of the young Xabi Alonso. Both have everything it takes to become legends of FC Bayern.”
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