Journalist Fabrizio Romano has delivered an update on Aston Villa’s summer transfer plans as the reportedly look to pen a “fantastic” player to a long-term deal.
Aston Villa pushing for summer signings regardless of league finish
It remains to be seen if Unai Emery’s side will clinch a top-five finish in the Premier League this season, getting back into the Champions League in the process, but a busy summer transfer window is expected either way. Rosenborg midfielder Sverre Nypan is a rumoured target for Villa, with the highly-rated 18-year-old being watched by club scouts and their recruitment team even holding talks with him.
Another exciting young player, Lyon winger Malick Fofana, has also been backed to move to Villa Park ahead of the 2025/26 season, as Emery looks to bring in more attacking depth. The 20-year-old has enjoyed an excellent season, scoring 11 goals in Ligue 1 and the Europa League combined.
Their moves in the market will of course still be influenced somewhat by their European status, with Ollie Watkins’ winner against Bournremouth this weekend moving the Villans level on points with Chelsea, who were defeated away at Newcastle.
A new striker arguably wouldn’t go amiss for Villa in the summer, with Watkins turning 30 later this year, and Paris Saint-Germain marksman Goncalo Ramos has emerged as a rumoured option. He has found minutes hard to come by for the Champions League finalists, with competition for places incredibly strong, but would surely only join another club in Europe’s elite competition.
Aston Villa keen to sign Rashford to long-term deal
According to Romano for Give Me Sport, Aston Villa like the idea of signing Marcus Rahsford permanently at the end of the season. They are reportedly “very happy” with the Manchester United attacker, adding that Emery considers him an “excellent player and the feeling between coach and player is understood to be very good”.
There is a potential issue surrounding Financial Fair Play, however, which will “now dictate the next steps” of a potential deal, with the England international’s salary “another important point not to be underestimated” in the update.
Rashford’s loan move to Villa felt like a gamble at the time, following a run of poor form for United, but he has been a big success overall, registering 10 goal contributions in 17 appearances, even if four goals isn’t exactly an earth-shattering return.
The Englishman looks to have a spark back in his game, with Emery praising the impact he has made last month, saying of him: “He is feeling better and he played a fantastic match. We are very happy. If he is happy, we are happy.”
The fact that Emery likes the £300,000-a-week Rashford so much suggests that he should be trusted in wanting to sign him on a permanent deal, even though there is an element of risk there, especially if they cannot negotiate those wages down.
There is always the possibility that the 27-year-old has simply upped his game for a short period, in order to earn a move elsewhere, but he will surely be desperate to prove himself in the long-term at another club, considering his time at United looks over.
