Manchester United have agreed to send Marcus Rashford to fellow Premier League side Aston Villa until the end of the season, however it has been revealed that the deal includes a buy-option.
Rashford has been seeking a move throughout the January transfer window, after being dropped from the first team squad by Ruben Amorim due to poor work ethic. He has been linked to AC Milan, Barcelona and Borussia Dortmund however these moves did not come to fruition.
But now the England international is set to link up with the Champions League club on loan with the Villans reportedly set to cover 75% of his wages, a total believed to be over £300k a week.
Now Alex Crook has revealed that a £40 million buy-option has been included in the deal, meaning that Aston Villa could make the move permanent for what could be considered a low fee.
It is understood that this is an option, rather than an obligation as with the case with Jadon Sancho at Chelsea and the Villans can opt to not take up the offer and return him to Old Trafford.
Marcus Rashford has it all to prove
Rashford has been the subject of intense criticism over the last few years after failing to maintain his early career promise. Complaints over his off-field attitude and work ethic have not helped this and the end has felt inevitable for some time.
The relationship between club and player had clearly broken down and it was perhaps best for all parties that this deal happens. The ball is in Rashford’s court to prove that it is the environment that was the issue and not his own ability/desire. If he fails to make an impact, he could well find himself back at Carrington in just a few months’ time if Aston Villa opt not to make the deal permanent.