Man United name price for Marcus Rashford but summer exit takes huge twist

Manchester United want to offload Marcus Rashford permanently this summer but Aston Villa do not have first refusal to buy the England star despite signing him on loan in January

Marcus Rashford can leave Manchester United for £40million this summer – but Aston Villa do not have first refusal on the England forward.

Villa signed Rashford on loan in January for the remainder of the season and can make the deal permanent for £40m this summer. But it has emerged Villa do not have first option on the 27-year-old and other clubs can sign Rashford if they meet United's £40m asking price.

Rashford, who fell out of favour under United boss Ruben Amorim, leading to his loan departure, is under contract at Old Trafford until 2028 on a deal worth £300,000-a-week.

But he knows he has no future at United while Amorim is in charge and is focused on securing a permanent move this summer to a club that can offer him Champions League football.

That may turn out to be Villa, who remain in the tight race for a Champions League spot, but Rashford does not want to stay with Unai Emery's side, eyeing a move abroad, with Barcelona his preferred destination.

Under the terms of the loan agreement with United, Villa are said to be covering at least 75 percent of Rashford’s salary, with his parent club making up the rest.

If Rashford and his representatives cannot find the striker a new club to join permanently this summer, the likelihood is the player will have to embark on another loan move, although both parties favour a sale and a fresh start.

Rashford's improved form at Villa has earned a recall to the England fold under new boss Thomas Tuchel, his four goals and six assists in 17 appearances a marked improvement from his dire form at United.

But Rashford has played his last game for Villa, after it was confirmed the hamstring injury that caused him to miss the last three matches will also keep him out of Friday's game against Tottenham, with the forward ineligible for the final game of the season, against United at Old Trafford.

It's understood Rashford is unwilling to drop his wages in order to secure a move away, meaning whoever does sign the England star will have to take on his current salary.