Aston Villa confirm Marcus Rashford exit after loan spell | OneFootball

Aston Villa have put an end to their dream of signing Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford this summer.

The Villans have issued a statement confirming that the 27-year-old will return to his parent club after his six-month loan spell ended.

Rashford joined Villa on the January transfer deadline day after a much-publicised fallout with United manager Ruben Amorim.

He showed glimpses of his quality and sparked Villa’s attack into life. That was until an injury problem brought his season to a premature end.

Villa had negotiated a £40 million option to make his loan deal permanent at the end of last season.

Rashford repaid Villa’s faith with a respectable return of four goals and six assists in 17 appearances across all competitions.

He put in a fantastic performance for Villa in their Champions League quarter-final second-leg clash against eventual winners Paris Saint-Germain, although the Midlands club narrowly lost the game.

Rashford also bagged a brace in Villa’s FA Cup quarter-final against Championship side Preston North End.

However, Villa have opted against activating his release clause amid concerns about breaching the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR).

They announced their decision in a statement that also confirmed the departures of fellow loanees Marco Asensio and Axel Disasi from PSG and Chelsea, respectively.

“Marco Asensio, Marcus Rashford and Axel Disasi each joined Villa in February on loan deals until the end of the 2024/25 season,” Villa’s statement read.

“Everyone at Aston Villa would like to thank each of the players for their efforts and amazing commitment to the club and wish them all the very best for the future.”

Villa fans would have loved to continue seeing Rashford in claret and blue, but a permanent deal was never feasible, especially with PSR breathing down Villa’s neck.

To get some breathing space, the Midlands club have agreed to sell their women’s team to their parent company, V Sports, founded by club owners Wes Edens and Nassef Sawiris.