Simon Jordan warns Aston Villa against permanent Marcus Rashford move due to high wages
Simon Jordan has issued a cautionary warning to Aston Villa regarding the potential permanent signing of Marcus Rashford this summer. Despite the England forward’s impressive performance during his loan spell from Manchester United, Jordan believes Villa will be reluctant to meet the financial demands associated with the deal.
'Marcus Rashford.'
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Rashford has made a strong impact since his loan move to Villa Park, scoring two goals and providing four assists in just 10 appearances. His standout performance came over the weekend when he netted twice in a commanding 3-0 victory over Preston North End, propelling Villa into the FA Cup semi-finals.
However, Jordan, speaking on talkSPORT, expressed skepticism about Villa's willingness to commit to the reported £300,000-per-week wages Rashford currently commands at United. Despite Villa reportedly holding an option to make the move permanent for £40 million ($52 million), the financial package could be too burdensome for the club, especially considering the additional costs involved.
"I could have bet you any money in the world that Rashford would come alive for Aston Villa," Jordan said. "He's been fantastic, but wait until Villa has to write a cheque. I think they're too canny and too wise to fall into this trap."
He continued, highlighting the difference between a short-term loan and a permanent transfer. "It's one thing having a player on loan, playing a small percentage of his wages, so it’s a minor financial transaction. You have him for four months, it costs you £5-6 million, and it's hardly a big deal. But when it comes to signing him permanently, with his wages and transfer fee, it's a different matter entirely."
Jordan went on to suggest that while Rashford’s form may thrive under Villa’s current system, the club’s prudent financial strategy would likely prevent them from pursuing such a high-risk deal.
Villa, currently in ninth place in the Premier League, have the opportunity to push for Champions League qualification, as they trail fourth-placed Chelsea by just four points. This could change the financial landscape and possibly influence the club’s approach to future signings, though Rashford's high wages remain a significant hurdle.
Looking ahead, Villa faces key fixtures against Brighton and Nottingham Forest before their highly anticipated Champions League quarter-final clash with Paris Saint-Germain. Whether these games will impact their transfer decisions remains to be seen, but the financial challenge of securing Rashford permanently looms large.
