Manchester United have been handed a boost with respect to the future transfer of Marcus Rashford as details emerge that he may join another club after playing for Aston Villa.
Manchester United’s January transfer window featured several notable departures, as Rúben Amorim reshaped his squad to better suit his preferred 3-4-3 system.
A number of Academy prospects were sent out on loan to gain valuable first-team experience, but the more eye-catching exits came from the senior ranks. Marcus Rashford, Antony, and Tyrell Malacia were all allowed to leave for the remainder of the season.
Antony completed a six-month loan move to La Liga side Real Betis, while Malacia returned to the Netherlands to join PSV Eindhoven on a temporary deal. PSV also secured an option to make the move permanent in the summer for a fee in the region of £8.3 million.
The most surprising development, however, was Rashford’s departure. Following reports of a falling-out with Amorim, the winger was loaned to Aston Villa in a deal that caught many off guard.
Villa also hold an option to make the transfer permanent for £40 million this summer — a potential windfall for United if they choose to cash in.
Rashford may not sign for Villa this summer
This may seem an obvious thing to stay, but it is far from confirmed that Villa will sign Rashford on a permanent contract for the start of next season.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Villa are very happy with the player’s progress under Unai Emery so far, with the directors and club staff all seeing positive signs from the 27-year-old after his United exile.
However, the Italian transfer specialist was also keen to stress that as it stands, the Birmingham club do not have it in their plans to activate the £40 million buy option because they are waiting for further clarify on their financial position this summer.
Paying the £40 million buy option is a topic that will certainly come up in the coming months, but Villa are waiting to understand what European competition they will be competing in next season before taking a final view on Rashford.
What could happen to Rashford if Villa don’t sign him?
In the short term, Rashford would head back to United, whose pre-season starts in the third week of July.
However, with the England international unlikely to play for United again, there have been worries that the club may struggle to offload Rashford if Villa choose not to keep him.
However, according to GiveMeSport, United will likely be in the clear and will be able to offload him in a new “twist” regarding his future.
According to their information, suitors from overseas are closely monitoring his situation at Villa and will be ready to launch their own bids if he returns to Old Trafford.
With the winger now back in the England set-up, the report also states that United are hoping his value will increase before the summer, which will either make Villa more likely to pay the £40 million in the summer, or United will be able to demand in excess of this fee to other clubs should a bidding war arise.
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