Aston Villa Ready to Activate €30m Rashford Option

Aston Villa are prepared to meet Barcelona’s €30m purchase option for Marcus Rashford. Manager Unai Emery is targeting the English forward as a potential signing before the June 15 deadline. Barcelona’s option, payable in three €10m instalments, remains unused. Hansi Flick praised Rashford’s 14‑goal, 14‑assist campaign despite the Camp Nou’s silence. Barcelona have already signed Anthony Gordon for a fee north of €80m. The high outlay has effectively emptied the treasury, prompting the board to look elsewhere. Manchester United have ruled out another loan for Rashford. Bayern Munich have floated a €40m offer. Tottenham have shown interest, leaving Villa to act. Emery oversaw Rashford’s six‑month loan at Villa Park in early 2025. The loan produced four goals and six assists. Emery credits the spell with rebuilding Rashford’s confidence. Rashford’s camp insists he is “100% focused” on staying put and he loves Barcelona. The player feels let down by Spain, according to the input. Villa can promise Champions League football after their top‑five finish. This positions them as a destination rather than a club that must beg for elite talent. Emery is urged to bypass agents and contact Rashford directly on June 16. That date follows the second Barcelona deadline expiry. A photo from June 6, 2026 shows Marcus Rashford #11 of England at half‑time during the England‑New Zealand friendly at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. The image was captured by Rich Storry.