Aston Villa appear to be leading the way when it comes to Marcus Rashford’s next move, and Villa boss Unai Emery was asked about the Manchester United man on Saturday
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery admitted the club is working on transfer deals behind the scenes but couldn’t confirm the status of their Marcus Rashford pursuit.
Manchester United forward Rashford has emerged as a late target for Emery’s side during a window which has seen clubs pursue both Ollie Watkins and Jhon Duran. Duran’s move to Al-Nassr was confirmed on Friday, with the Saudi transfer window shutting earlier than most, while Villa knocked back an Arsenal bid for Watkins early in the week.
Rashford is understood to have said goodbye to his Manchester United team-mates as his loan exit draws ever closer. However, unlike the Duran deal, his move to Villa Park as the Colombian’s successor is still awaiting final confirmation, with the clubs at odds over the percentage of the player’s wages paid by each.
Emery’s team were brought crashing back down to earth on Saturday after a midweek win over Celtic booked their place in the Champions League round of 16. After the game, he was asked about the latest with incoming players but kept his cards close to his chest.
“I am going to wait for the last two days (of the transfer window),” Emery told Sky Sports when asked about Rashford. However, speaking separately to BBC Sport, he recognised the need for reinforcements.
“We need some players,” the Spaniard said. “We need to replace some players who left. Tomorrow and Monday are the last two days.
“I think we’ll get some players to help us because we’re in the Champions League last 16. We have to try to get points in the Premier League to be top eight, seven, six, five.”
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Villa would have moved within a point of the top four with a win at Wolves, but ultimately lost 2-0 at Molineux. Jean-Ricner Bellegarde scored an early opener and – after a Villa leveller was controversially disallowed – Matheus Cunha made it two in second-half stoppage time.
Emery was also forced to withdraw top scorer Watkins at half-time. “He felt some pain but hopefully not a lot,” the manager told BBC Sport. “We’ll test him tomorrow.”
Wolves star Cunha is another forward to have been linked with a Villa Park move, but his celebration after scoring suggested he was ready to commit his future to his current employers. The Brazilian, who remains Wolves’ record signing, is expected to put pen to paper on a new deal which includes a release clause if the strugglers fail to beat the drop.
“He has this quality. A special player. He’s committed with us,” manager Vitor Pereira told Sky Sports. “He knows in the future he can play for the best teams in England but he’s committed with us.”
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