Stan Collymore: Villa should not make Rashford signing a priority (Interview for NewBettingSites.uk)

Former Aston Villa striker Stan Collymore has told NewBettingSites.uk that he believes Villa should not try to sign Marcus Rashford permanently, unless their is an especially good deal to be struck.

Collymore discussed the potential for Villa to sign Rashford permanently after his six-month loan spell at the club. He suggested Villa fans may not want Rashford back if the club is not his first choice, which has been put in doubt after Rashford’s representatives made it clear he wants to play in the Champions League next season.

Speaking to NewBettingSites.uk, Collymore said: “The message all along from Marcus Rashford’s camp has been that he wants to join a Champions League club and obviously Aston Villa will be in the Europa League next season.

“Aston Villa fans won’t want any player coming to their club if he views them as a second choice. As a Villa fan, I watched a lot of his games this season and although there were a few impressive cameo appearances, there was nothing to suggest he’s a player they should prioritise signing.

“That said, if the figure wasn’t too high – something like £40million over a couple of instalments – then it might be a deal worth pursuing. He would also need to be willing to take a significant wage cut.

“I admire his ambition and the fact he’s made it clear he wants to play in the Champions League next season – ideally for Barcelona, by the sounds of it. I’m grateful that he came to Villa when he did because he played well and nearly got them into the Champions League. If it was a cut-price deal and he was desperate to play for Villa then I’d sign him, but I don’t think that’s the case, so the answer is no.”

Rashford doubts himself

Collymore questioned whether Rashford truly believes in his own ability after the Manchester United winger posted a video of himself training on social media.

“He obviously wants a move this summer and is trying to attract interest,” he said. “I saw the video he put out on social media. It was the classic training video out in America working hard, sweating with his shirt off, trying to show how much he wants it.

“He’s trying to prove himself, but I think it’s an interesting message to be sending out. For me, I don’t think any player that is comfortable in their own skin and fully believes in themselves needs to be putting posts out about how fit they’re going to be for next season. It should come with the territory.

“He’s had two-thirds of a good season at Manchester United in the past five or six years, so does he even believe he can do it in the Champions League?”

Villa should only sell Rogers for £150m up front

Ex-Villa striker Collymore does not believe his former side should let star midfielder Morgan Rogers leave unless they are offered a significant financial package up front, in the region of £150million.

He added: “Morgan Rogers has been my favourite Aston Villa player this season. He’s come from the Championship straight into a team fighting in Europe and at the top end of the Premier League and showed great composure.

“He’s shown a lot of maturity and chipped in with some really important goals. His temperament is fantastic but he also has that bit of bite about him. If Villa are going to achieve anything tangible under Unai Emery then Rogers has to be at the centre of it because he’s got his best years ahead of him.

“That said, if a team like Manchester City came in with £150million for him then I’ll drive him to the Etihad myself! Villa have supposedly put a £100m price tag on him, but any transfer for that much would likely be made up of instalments and performance-based add-ons. No one will pay that much up front for somebody who’s had one good season.

“City paid £100m for Jack Grealish after he’d had a few good seasons, but don’t forget a couple of those were in the Championship. I know they can spend that kind of money, but the deal might be something like £60m up front, £40m in add-ons and maybe a player that they don’t even want in return. In that case it would be a no. If it was £120-150m up front, then they’d have to give it some thought.”