Why a Liverpool move for Marcus Rashford is not as FAR-FETCHED as it sounds

Liverpool are planning to shake up their forward options in the summer. Arne Slot remains unconvinced by Diogo Jota and Darwin Nunez, while there are question marks against the futures of Luis Diaz and Federico Chiesa too.

That’s before we even mention Mohamed Salah’s contract situation which, with just weeks to before it expires, remains unresolved.

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The club are aiming to earn good money in the market for their outgoing transfers and should use it to improve their strike line.

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There could be changes all across the front three positions and no shortage of contenders have been mentioned as potential incomings.

But there is one intriguing possibility that hasn’t been mentioned, out loud at least, that sporting director Richard Hughes and head coach Arne Slot could consider.

What would you say to Marcus Rashford signing for Liverpool?

Marcus Rashford's sky-high wages

First things first, let’s get the impossible element out of the way. It’s the wages. Rashford’s last contract at Manchester United - signed in 2023 - was reported to earn him £325,000 per week. Current club Aston Villa are only paying a percentage.

If Salah and Virgil van Dijk leave, that kind of money would leave him over £100k per week clear of Liverpool’s next-best earner in Alisson. If FSG are not going to commit the wages to Salah, they are definitely not going to commit them to Rashford.

But Rashford’s career is at a crossroads. It is unlikely his next contract - unless it’s in Saudi Arabia - will reach the heights of his previous one. So there could well be the opportunity to negotiate a discount.

But surely Man Utd won’t sell to Liverpool?

In these FFP times, all the top sides are DESPERATE to offload homegrown talent. The sums banked by Chelsea for Conor Gallagher from Atletico Madrid and Man Utd for Scott McTominay show sentiment won’t get in the way of “pure profit”.

And United aren’t the financial behemoth they were in previous decades. Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s swingeing cuts are demonstrating that. They would welcome any sensible bids for Rashford and maybe even one from down the East Lancs.

But how much would it cost?

Could Liverpool actually sign Rashford?

Well, it’s been reported that Aston Villa have an option to turn Rashford’s current loan deal permanent at the end of the season for £40m. Other outlets have a permanent deal fixed for £60m.

There is no question that Rashford belongs closer to the £40m category at best right now considering the sluggish nature of his career over the past couple of years. In any case, it will all hinge on Villa and their willingness to seek out a deal.

That is precisely the type of opportunistic signing so favoured by Hughes and FSG. Don’t forget, Rashford is only 27, younger than both Diaz AND Chiesa. If he can continue his reinvigoration project then there are plenty of miles left in the tank.

And, please don’t forget, Liverpool have had Rashford on their radar for YEARS, as crazy as that sounds.

It once looked like he was going to stay at Old Trafford forever and any hopes of signing him were going to be a pipe dream. But it was reported by Melissa Reddy in 2020 that Michael Edwards was a huge admirer of Rashford.

And when Rashford was considering his future back in 2022 - after being left out of the derby - he was again mentioned as a Liverpool target - this time by Samuel Luckhurst in the Manchester Evening News.

There is clearly something in Rashford that appeals to Liverpool’s recruiters. And guess what? Edwards is back in town.

But is he good enough?

Rashford restoring his reputation

Rashford looked like a busted flush under Erik ten Hag last season and again under Ruben Amorim. At one stage it appeared United would be lucky to give him away.

But Unai Emery has done what Unai Emery does and helped restore Rashford to his previous levels. No one is saying he’s about to win the Player of the Year award but he’s getting back to where he should be.

Rashford is part of a very good Aston Villa team finally gaining consistency after a frustrating opening two-thirds of the season. He is dovetailing magnificently with fellow winter arrival Marco Asencio, another superstar in need of a pick-me-up.

The winger has even got himself back into England reckoning - starting Thomas Tuchel’s opening two World Cup qualification matches.

And Rashford’s productivity is coming back too. He’s played 11 times for Villa; starting six times thus far. He’s already scored three goals and added four assists - all coming in barely more than 600 minutes of game time.

How sustainable? Time will tell

Rashford turned the league game around against Chelsea with two assists, which gave Villa a hard-earned win, and got off the mark for the Villans in the Premier League against Brighton midweek.

That’s seven goal involvements in only six starts for the former United academy graduate - and his numbers actually compare favourably to Liverpool’s left-wing options.

He’s averaging 0.34 goals per 90 minutes for Villa in the Premier League, according to FBREF, which compares to Diaz’s 0.38 and Gakpo’s 0.51. He’s delivering 0.68 assists per 90 minutes, comparing to 0.19 for Diaz and 0.19 for Gakpo.

In terms of goals and assists since his move to Villa Park, Rashford is averaging 1.02 g+a per 90 compared to 0.57 for Diaz and 0.70 for Gakpo.

How sustainable is all of this?

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Well, any potential suitors should be keeping a close eye on how the season finishes and whether or not Villa want to sign him permanently.

If a compromise can be reached on wages and Man Utd’s desperation for a transfer fee exploited, this could be one unlikely deal which actually ends up becoming feasible.