Aston Villa nears £130m permanent deal for Marcus Rashford

Aston Villa is experiencing a resurgence under manager Unai Emery, with recent performances including a 3-0 FA Cup quarter-final victory over Preston North End, highlighting the contributions of new signings like Marcus Rashford, who scored twice in that match. Villa is reportedly leading the race to secure Rashford on a permanent deal, with initial discussions suggesting a price of around £40 million, though Manchester United may aim for closer to £60 million due to Rashford's improved form. Additionally, Villa is exploring further strengthening its attacking options by targeting Juventus striker Dušan Vlahović, valued at £33.5 million. As the club aims for Champions League qualification and success in both domestic and European competitions, they are also making efforts to retain Boubacar Kamara, potentially offering him a record contract to fend off interest from rival clubs. The ambitious strategy of Villa's management is reflective of their desire to compete at the highest levels and capitalize on their current momentum.