Marcus Rashford has been frozen out of the picture at Manchester United, and he is closing in on a move away from Old Trafford before the January transfer window closes.
Newcastle United’s chances of qualifying for next season’s Champions League are reliant not only on what they achieve, but also on how their opponents perform in the final four months of the season. The Magpies are in fifth place going into a difficult stretch of games this month.
Eddie Howe’s side finished in the top four two years ago, and they reaped the benefits last season with unforgettable games in Europe’s best club competition. However, they missed out on Europe this season after placing seventh in the league, being denied on the final day of the season when Manchester United won the FA Cup and knocked them out of the Europa League.
This season, with no distractions, Newcastle hopes to qualify for Europe again. One of their main dangers will be Aston Villa, who had a similar season to Newcastle last season, qualifying for the Champions League after finishing fourth.
This time around, Villa sits in eighth place, just four points below Newcastle. Unai Emery’s side has been juggling both tournaments, but their chances of a strong finish were destroyed this week by the departure of Jhon Duran, who transferred to the Saudi Pro League for an unbelievable £71 million.
That threatened to leave them short on offensive alternatives, especially with Ollie Watkins a target for Arsenal. However, Villa demonstrated their desire last month by signing Borussia Dortmund forward Donyell Malen, who had been linked with Newcastle.
And, in an astounding move, it appears that they are poised to sign Manchester United star Marcus Rashford. According to insiders, negotiations for Rashford to join Villa for the rest of the season are progressing, with optimism building that the deal will be completed before Monday’s 11 p.m. deadline.
Villa’s interest in Rashford came after selling striker Jhon Duran to Al Nassr for up to £71 million on Friday. Barcelona had been linked with a move for Rashford, but they are hesitant to commit to a winter loan for the 27-year-old, despite being interested in a summer transfer.
Rashford, who has had a dramatic falling out with Old Trafford manager Ruben Amorim, might now face a lengthy absence. Rashford’s agents spoke with Tottenham and West Ham United earlier this window, but with Aston Villa already secured a berth in the Champions League round of 16, Rashford will have the opportunity to play in the knockout stages for the first time since 2022.
It represents a stark contrast to Newcastle’s winter transfer activity. Eddie Howe has revealed that the departure of Miguel Almiron has left him short on offensive alternatives, with only Jacob Murphy, Alexander Isak, and Anthony Gordon available for today’s match against Fulham. Harvey Barnes is still a few weeks away, but Callum Wilson may return next week.
Newcastle have chosen against going via the loan path, having been impressed by the system under Dan Ashworth. Lewis Hall and Matt Targett’s signings were initially on loan before becoming permanent.
Howe added, “You have to consider the cost. Everyone assumes that loans are inexpensive. Loan transactions can be as expensive as permanent transfers. So you have that, plus you have a high-quality player on loan. “I’m not sure they exist.”
No one is saying that Newcastle should have moved for Rashford, although his ability to play across the frontline is an appeal for many clubs. The Magpies have their own fascinating transfer strategy in play.
But Villa will be hoping that their audacious loan move for Rashford, who is still only 27 and perhaps at the prime of his abilities, can help them beat Newcastle to a Champions League position at the end of the season.
