The winger wants to compete among Europe’s elite, but sources say that a return to Manchester United is not out of the question
Marcus Rashford is reportedly setting his sights on a Champions League club as uncertainty grows around his long-term future, whether at Aston Villa or at Manchester United.
People close to the situation told ESPN that Rashford, who is currently on loan at Villa Park, is willing to wait until the end of the season before making a final call on his next move.
Villa hold a £40 million option to make the transfer permanent, but the Midlands club are yet to confirm whether they will activate the clause. According to reports, they are largely concerned by the forward’s £350,000-a-week wages.
Rashford has three years left on his contract at Old Trafford, but his preference is to play Champions League football next season. Villa’s hopes of finishing in the top five suffered a blow after an agonising 2-1 defeat to Manchester City on Tuesday left them two points behind Newcastle, with just four games to go.
Though Rashford is not ruling out a return to Manchester United, his relationship with current head coach Ruben Amorim complicates matters. The Portuguese benched Rashford in December and then gave the green light for his subsequent loan exit in January.
The forward is thought to be sceptical about his prospects for regular first-team football while Amorim remains in charge.
According to sources at the club, all options are open at the moment. If no permanent transfer is agreed, Rashford will be expected to report to Carrington for preseason with the rest of the United squad in July.
