Aston Villa are exploring a move to sign Marcus Rashford, talkSPORT understands.
The Villans are in the market for attacking reinforcements amid Jhon Duran’s imminent move to Al Nassr in a deal which could rise to over £75million.
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talkSPORT understands Rashford is one of a number of options under consideration by Villa to replace Duran.
Chelsea’s Joao Felix and Paris Saint-Germain forward Marco Asensio are also being monitored by Villa, with sporting director Monchi confirming the club are interested in both.
However, Monchi conceded a deal for either could be difficult to pull off due to the hefty finances involved.
That same issue is what has proved to be a stumbling block for clubs interested in Rashford.
The 27-year-old’s advisers have held talks with Barcelona, AC Milan and Borussia Dortmund.
However, a deal has not progressed as interested clubs are understood to be put off by United’s insistence they would need to cover the majority of Rashford’s £350,000-a-week salary.
Rashford last appearance for the Red Devils was a Europa League fixture against Viktoria Plzen on December 12.
The 60-cap England international has been frozen out by Red Devils boss Ruben Amorim following his admission in December he was ‘ready for a new challenge.’
Amorim has been especially critical of what he believed to be a lack of effort from Rashford on the training ground.
The United boss even claimed he would rather have Jorge Vital, his 63-year-old goalkeeper coach, on the bench over Rashford, who he said ‘doesn’t give the maximum every day’.
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However, Amorim has left the door open for Rashford to return to his plans, so long as he sees a renewed effort from him at Carrington.
“Imagine a talent like Rashford, our team should be so much better with him – but he has to change,” Amorim said.
“If he changes, we are more than welcome [to include him] – and we need it. But in this moment we have to set some standards. We are waiting for Rashford, if he wants it really bad.
“You [the media] want to make it personal, I have nothing against Marcus, but I have to make the same rules for everybody.
“We need goals, we need [players who can go] one against one, we need threat in the final third.”
The 27-year-old’s fall from grace under Amorim represents a major contrast from how he performed early into his tenure as he scored three goals in the United boss’ first two league games in charge.
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But with Rashford’s future at Old Trafford now looking rather bleak, Red Devils legend Wayne Rooney believes the forward desperately needs a fresh start.
“I’ve spoken to Marcus a couple of times and I’ve given him my thoughts and feelings that he needs to leave the football club because whatever is going on in his life and at Manchester United, he’s not the same,” Rooney said on the Stick To Football podcast.
“For him to have a fresh start, he needs to leave the club. The fact that your manager is coming out and saying that you’re not training right is crazy.”
Villa have until 11pm on Monday to complete a move for Rashford as that is when the Premier League’s January window slams shut.
