Aston Villa manager Unai Emery will be hoping that missing out on Champions League qualification won’t alter his transfer plans this summer.
The Midlands side will play in the Europa League next season, a competition in which they have a great chance of winning. But will this prospect attract the players Emery wants?
Marcus Rashford returned to Manchester United after the end of his loan spell with Villa. He is valued at £40m by the Red Devils, but with Barcelona interested, Emery might miss out.
Could he perhaps make a move for one of his teammates instead?
Aston Villa transfer news
Bringing Rashford back to Villa Park would be a popular move by the manager, especially given how well the Englishman performed at the club.
It now looks unlikely that he will return, but Emery doesn’t appear to be disheartened, as he eyes a move for Alejandro Garnacho instead.
According to Caught Offside, Villa are exploring a move for the Argentinian sensation this summer in a bid to improve their squad.
The youngster has been told he could leave Old Trafford this summer, although Bayer Leverkusen are keen on signing him. The Bundesliga side are, however, looking for a loan deal, while United would prefer a permanent exit.
It would be a major coup if Emery could lure the player to the Midlands, especially with how highly-rated he is. Much will depend on the fee demanded by Ruben Amorim, as the Midlands club will need to stay within the profit and sustainability regulations.
If he does join, Garnacho could be a better signing than Rashford.
Why Aston Villa must sign Alejandro Garnacho
During his six-month loan spell, Rashford scored four goals and grabbed six assists for Villa, but he missed the final five games of the season due to a hamstring injury.
Throughout the 2024/25 season, Garnacho registered 21 goal contributions – 11 goals and ten assists – for Man Utd. Due to Amorim’s 3-4-3 system, however, he doesn’t fit into his plans.
Metric
Rashford
Garnacho
Goals
6
6
Assists
3
2
Big chances created
8
4
Key passes per game
1.1
1
Successful dribbles per game
0.7
0.7
Shots per game
1.4
2.3
At the start of last season, Statman Dave heaped praise on the South American starlet, saying he was “generational” and the future looked bright indeed for him at Old Trafford.
Given the fact that he is much younger and holds a higher ceiling for development than Rashford, there is no doubt he would be a much better signing, especially for the long term.
This argument begins to hold more weight when comparing the two players over the 2024/25 season from a domestic point of view.
Garnacho not only registered more shots per 90 (3.44 vs 2.15) than Rashford, but he also recorded more shot-creating actions (86 vs 56), more touches in the attacking penalty area (176 vs 64) and more successful take-ons (26 vs 18).
On this evidence, prioritising the signing of Garnacho rather than that of Rashford should be key for Emery heading into the summer window.
He could thrive if played in the correct system, no doubt about that.
Aston Villa exploring deal for £70m "superstar" with more G/A than Rashford
The Villans have set their sights on a forward, who regularly provided goals and assists throughout the 2024/25 campaign.
ByDominic LundMay 30, 2025