Aston Villa are considering a move to sign Marcus Rashford from Manchester United before the end of the January transfer window. The 27-year-old has fallen out of favour at Old Trafford having been left out of the squad for the last 12 matches under Ruben Amorim.
Rashford, who last featured during a 2-1 win over Viktoria Plzen on December 12, prefers a move to Barcelona and has set that as his 'dream' move. However, Barca's damning financial situation and inability to create salary space is making a deal unlikely this month.
Due to this, Rashford might have to pursue alternatives and Villa are among those that have joined the race for the England international. According to The Athletic, Villa are contemplating making an offer to sign Rashford as they prepare to lose striker Jhon Duran to Al-Nassr.
READ MORE: Man United transfer news LIVE - Fresh Rashford exit route, Quenda move, Mathys Tel and Garnacho
READ MORE: Ineos are about to show Manchester United their true colours with Paul Pogba transfer decision
Emiliano Buendia is also expected to leave Villa with the midfielder edging closer to a loan move to Bayer Leverkusen, meaning Unai Emery's men need reinforcements. And a transfer that would see Rashford move to Villa on loan is possible before Monday's 11pm deadline.
Chelsea's Joao Felix and Paris Saint-Germain's Marco Asensio are among the others Villa are considering. The club and Emery have long-standing interest in both players. Villa have already signed forward Donyell Malen from Borussia Dortmund this month but are now expected to add another attacker.
As for Rashford, his future is uncertain after expressing his desire to depart United in December. After he was left out of the matchday squad to face Manchester City, Rashford told journalist Henry Winter that he was "ready for a new challenge and the next steps" - hinting at a move away.
Rashford has shown little enthusiasm for other potential suitors such as West Ham, Borussia Dortmund, Inter Milan and Tottenham, however, and could remain at United beyond the January window.
If that occurs, then he might have to force himself back into Amorim's plans, though the United boss wouldn't be against it - but only on one condition. Speaking on Wednesday, Amorim offered Rashford a route back into his United team if he works harder and puts his "maximum" into training.
"Again guys, the situation is the same for every player. The last time I talked about that in the last game, my sentence was that I will not put any player who doesn’t give the maximum. I didn’t say I will not put Marcus Rashford. It’s the same situation," Amorim said.
"When I feel it’s the right moment I will put any player to play. I will say it again, we are a better team with Marcus Rashford, and that's clear. He's a big talent but until the right moment, I won’t change my mind, that's all."
