Aston Villa preparing for Rashford failure: €40m star lined up

Robin Bairner

21 Feb 2025 08:00 CST
2 min read

Aston Villa are already working on a Plan B should Marcus Rashford fail to secure a permanent move to Unai Emery’s side.

Villa won the race to sign Rashford during the January transfer market, with United struggling to find a taker for the England international due to his large wages.

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Current ETV

Marcus Rashford

F (CL), M (L)

Aston Villa

Marcus Rashford

F (CL), M (L)

Aston Villa

ETV Range

€70.7M - €86.4M

It is, of course, unfair to pass any judgement on the 27-year-old’s performance in Birmingham as yet. He has made only three appearances for the club, and while he is yet to provide a goal or an assists, it should be remembered that he had been forced out of action since early December after falling out with Ruben Amorim at Man Utd.

What is certain is that there is no guarantee that Rashford will remain at Villa beyond the terms of his loan deal, which will expire in the summer.

It is reported that they will have the chance to sign him on a permanent basis for €48 million (£40m) in the summer. On the face of it, this appears a bargain for a player with an Estimated Transfer Value of €78.6m, yet the player’s salary demands are likely to mean that he will have to perform to a strong level before Villa consider a full-time deal.

Emery’s side are preparing for the eventuality of Rashford not being signed by looking at other alternatives.

Villa to sign Ferran Torres if Rashford departs

They have singled out Ferran Torren as a potential option, according to El Nacional. Barcelona appear willing to sell the former Manchester City man, who has been thoroughly usurped by Raphinha at Camp Nou, where there is an excess of quality in the wide areas.

Aston Villa are ready to offer €40m for Ferran. The 24-year-old has an ETV of €32.7m and Barca are reportedly ready to cut their losses at that figure for a player they signed in January 2022 for €55m.

Current ETV

Ferran Torres

F (CRL)

Barcelona

Ferran Torres

F (CRL)

Barcelona

ETV Range

€29.4M - €36M

Although Ferran has played 26 times for Barcelona this season, scoring 10 goals and contributing three assists, he has started only nine games. He is seen as a valuable asset that can be sold given the club’s awkward financial position.

Chelsea are also rumoured to be interested in the winger, but with Enzo Maresca’s side prepared to pay just €30m for the Spain star, Villa appear to be firmly in control of Ferran’s destiny.