Aston Villa have discovered that failing to qualify for next season’s Champions League will not end their hopes of keeping Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio at Villa Park beyond their existing loan deals from Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain respectively, GIVEMESPORT sources have revealed.
Villans head coach Unai Emery recruited the duo during the winter transfer window, when he also sanctioned the departure of Jhon Duran in a switch worth up to £71million to Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Nassr, but their European adventure came to an end when they were eliminated from the continent’s elite club competition earlier this week.
Although Yasin Ozcan is on course to head to Aston Villa in the summer, thanks to an agreement in the region of £6million being reached with Kasimpasa in February, the Midlands outfit could look to retain the services of Rashford and Asensio on a permanent basis after they have made an instant impact in their current surroundings.
Rashford and Asensio Could Stay at Villa Park
Forwards interested in extending respective spells in Midlands
Aston Villa have been handed a major boost in their bid to seal permanent deals for Rashford and Asensio, according to GMS sources, as the duo have shown interest in remaining on board regardless of whether they are able to secure a second consecutive season of Champions League action.
The Villans have a £40million option to purchase Rashford at the end of the season, having agreed terms with Manchester United during the final days of the winter transfer window, but Asensio’s temporary switch from PSG did not include an opportunity to keep him beyond the remainder of the campaign.
GMS sources have been informed that Rashford’s decision on whether to remain at Aston Villa will not solely come down to whether they qualify for the Champions League, while Asensio is also keen to remain in his current surroundings after rediscovering his best form in claret and blue.
The Villans are covering the entirety of the latter’s pay package – which is in the region of £120,000-per-week – having convinced Ligue 1 title-winners PSG to sanction his mid-season departure from the Parc des Princes, and the Spain international is enjoying his time in the Midlands after being handed the chance to secure regular game time.
Aston Villa are actively in talks with Asensio’s parent club in an attempt to sew up a permanent deal, GMS sources have learned, and there is an awareness that he can be recruited for as little as £13million due to being on course to otherwise enter the final 12 months of his contract in the French capital.
Rashford Enjoying His Loan Stint Under Emery
Upturn in form and game time has resulted in return to England fold
GMS sources have been told that Rashford is happy at Aston Villa and enjoying life under Emery after falling by the wayside following Ruben Amorim’s appointment as Manchester United’s head coach, while he knows that he has worked his way back into the England fold thanks to his form in claret and blue.
The 27-year-old, who is pocketing £300,000-per-week during his loan spell due to the Red Devils still paying a portion of his salary, has acknowledged that the Villans are tempted to hand him the opportunity to stay in the Midlands heading into next term after he has been a constant threat in the final third of the pitch.
But Aston Villa may feel they need to book their place in the Champions League in order to have the funds to keep Rashford as they are in a tight position when it comes to meeting profit and sustainability rules, GMS sources understand, and they need to commit to meeting his demands if he is prepared to remain on board.
GMS sources recently revealed that the forward will not be handed a chance to reignite his Manchester United career if he heads back to Old Trafford as they will turn their attentions towards finding an alternative buyer if the Villans opt against taking advantage of their option to purchase him.
