Crystal Palace line up bold Marcus Rashford transfer but face two hurdles to get Man Utd outcast if Villa don’t want him
CRYSTAL PALACE are plotting a sensational swoop for Marcus Rashford if Aston Villa don’t sign him at the end of the season.
Eagles executives are monitoring the striker’s performances at Villa Park after he signed a loan deal from United in the January transfer window.
Rashford has bagged five goals and three assists in 22 games for Villa and his improved form saw him recalled to the England squad by Thomas Tuchel for his first World Cup 2026 qualifiers squad.
Villa have an option to buy the striker for around £40million from United at the end of the loan deal in June.
A source told The Sun on Sunday that Palace are closely monitoring the situation and are interested in talking to the player in the summer.
Palace, who lost 5-2 to Man City on Saturday, are 12th in the Premier League and have reached the FA Cup semi-final against Villa under Austrian manager Oliver Glasner.
He has built an exciting squad around Adam Wharton, Eberechi Eze, Ismaila Sarr, Jean-Philippe Mateta and Chelsea loanee Ben Chilwell.
The source said: “Palace are keeping a very close eye on Rashford and what happens with Villa and United.
“There is a good buzz around the club at the moment and someone like Marcus is exactly the kind of player they would love to attract.
“They know they would have to keep onto their better players to try and persuade Marcus to move to South London.”
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Earlier this week SunSport revealed how Paris Saint-Germain are interested in the player.
A return to Old Trafford has also not been ruled out given United’s goalscoring problems – but only if Rashford heals his relationship with manager Ruben Amorim.
Amorim is planning a major summer clearout as Man Utd look set for their worst ever Premier League finish.
Reports suggest the Portuguese tactician will be handed a £200m transfer war chest, but only if he first flogs a few players.
Rashford poses as a candidate as his contract would free up a lot of space on the wage bill.
The same goes for Antony and Jadon Sancho, who are also out on loan at Real Betis and Chelsea respectively.
Christian Eriksen, Casemiro, Andre Onana and Tyrell Malacia have also been linked with an exit.
One of the Red Devils’ young guns Kobbie Mainoo or Alejandro Garnacho may also leave.