Manchester United winger Marcus Rashford is edging closer to signing for Aston Villa on loan for the rest of the season, according to a report.
The England international has apparently suffered a total breakdown of his relationship with Ruben Amorim, who has frozen him out of the first-team squad over the past several weeks.
Rashford has been tipped to complete a move away from Old Trafford for the entirety of the January transfer window, but with just two days left to go, he remains on the books at Old Trafford.
A prospective switch to AC Milan did not come to fruition thanks to the Rossoneri moving for Manchester City's Kyle Walker, while a dream move to Barcelona will not materialise unless the Blaugrana make sales first.
Borussia Dortmund and Juventus were also named as viable destinations for Rashford, as Man United were supposedly insistent that the attacker would not be allowed to join another Premier League club on loan.
Aston Villa 'optimistic' of Rashford loan swoop
© Imago
Man United's stance seemingly ruled Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur out of contention to sign Rashford, whose extortionate wages - in excess of £300,000 a week - have also threatened to scupper an exit.
However, it appears that the Red Devils have performed a U-turn on not allowing the 27-year-old to join another English club temporarily, as the Manchester Evening News reports that he is on the verge of making the move to Villa Park.
The report claims that negotiations over a loan transfer are moving at pace, and there is optimism from all corners that Rashford will link up with the Lions before the window closes at 11pm on Monday.
Villa boss Unai Emery is believed to have made a personal request to the Lions' hierarchy for the Englishman's signing, in spite of the fact that Rashford has not played a competitive football match since December 12.
Before being ostracised from Amorim's group, Rashford produced seven goals and three assists in his first 24 appearances of the campaign, but he only struck four goals from 15 Premier League appearances.
Where will Rashford fit in at Villa?
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Rashford's expected arrival in the West Midlands comes not long after Villa sold Jhon Duran to Al-Nassr in a £64m deal, freeing up plenty of space on the wage bill for the Man United man's hefty salary.
Duran was only playing the role of super sub anyway, and Emery will no doubt persist with Ollie Watkins as his lone central option after confirming that the Arsenal-linked man wants to stay at the club.
Instead, Rashford looks set for an intense battle to start on the left-hand side of the Villa frontline, where Jacob Ramsey, John McGinn, Leon Bailey and new signing Donyell Malen can also operate.
Starts are by no means a guarantee for Rashford under Emery, but the 27-year-old's extensive European experience ought to make him a useful option in the Champions League, where Villa have progressed to the last 16 after finishing eighth in the league phase.
Ben Knapton
