LONDON: Unsettled Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford is close to joining Aston Villa on loan, according to reports on Saturday.
Villa have moved for Rashford after selling Colombia striker Jhon Duran to Saudi Pro League club Al Nassr on Friday.
The 27-year-old had been linked with AC Milan and Barcelona, while his representatives are also believed to have held talks with Tottenham and West Ham during the January transfer window.
A temporary switch to Villa would allow Rashford to rehabilitate his tarnished reputation after his astonishing fall from grace in the last two years.
Villa could benefit from a revitalized Rashford with a point to prove as they look to challenge for a top four finish in the Premier League, while also competing in the Champions League last 16.
Villa boss Unai Emery is sure to be asked about the interest in Rashford when his side face Wolves in Saturday’s late Premier League fixture.
Rashford has been looking to leave Old Trafford since admitting he was ready for a “new challenge” after being dropped by United boss Ruben Amorim for the Manchester derby in December.
The England star has missed all 12 of United’s game since then, with Amorim appearing to lose patience with Rashford recently when he said he would rather name the club’s 63-year-old goalkeeping coach in the squad.
Amorim said this week that Rashford would have to change his ways completely to end his exile.
But it now seems Rashford will get his wish to quit United before Monday’s transfer deadline.
Meanwhile, United have signed England Under-19 international Ayden Heaven from Arsenal in a deal worth over £1 million in compensation to the Gunners.
The 18-year-old center-back has signed a contract until 2029, with the option of a further year.
He was in the last six months of his scholarship terms at Arsenal and rejected the chance to sign a professional contract with the north Londoners.
Heaven made his Arsenal debut in the League Cup against Preston earlier this season and United said he will be “immediately” linking up with Amorim’s squad.
“I am incredibly proud to join Manchester United,” Heaven said.
“I’m grateful to everyone who helped make this dream a reality.
“There is so much that I want to achieve in the game. I’ll be giving everything to continue my development and become the best player that I can be.”
![]()
Man Utd’s Rashford close to Aston Villa loan: reports
Short Url
https://arab.news/c82a4
Man Utd’s Rashford close to Aston Villa loan: reports
- Villa have moved for Rashford after selling Colombia striker Jhon Duran to Saudi Pro League club Al Nassr on Friday
- A temporary switch to Villa would allow Rashford to rehabilitate his tarnished reputation
Saudi Arabia postpones 2029 Asian Winter Games at NEOM
- Instead, Saudi Arabia will host a series of standalone winter sports events in coming years
DUBAI: Saudi Arabia’s Olympic Committee and the Olympic Council of Asia have agreed to indefinitely postpone the 2029 Asian Winter Games, which were to have been held in a mountain resort in NEOM.
In a statement released on Saturday, the Olympic Council of Asia said the two bodies had agreed “to an updated framework for future hosting” of the games, which will be postponed “to a later date to be announced in due course.” It did not provide a reason.
Instead, Saudi Arabia will host a series of standalone winter sports events in coming years, the statement said. It added that the decision came after “extensive consultations between the two organizations and reflects a shared strategic commitment to the long-term and sustainable development of winter sports in Saudi Arabia and across the West Asia region.”
The games were to have been held in Trojena, planned as a year-round ski resort in the mountains of NEOM, a $500 billion project to build a new city in Saudi Arabia’s western desert on the Red Sea.
The Kingdom is slated to host a series of major events in coming years, including the 2030 World Expo in Saudi’s capital, Riyadh, and the 2034 FIFA World Cup.
The events are part of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s sweeping Vision 2030 project that aims to modernize Saudi society and its economy, build a sports hosting portfolio and help diversify the economy from its reliance on oil.
At its core is spending on sports by the $900 billion sovereign wealth operation, the Public Investment Fund.
In a statement released on Saturday, the Olympic Council of Asia said the two bodies had agreed “to an updated framework for future hosting” of the games, which will be postponed “to a later date to be announced in due course.” It did not provide a reason.
Instead, Saudi Arabia will host a series of standalone winter sports events in coming years, the statement said. It added that the decision came after “extensive consultations between the two organizations and reflects a shared strategic commitment to the long-term and sustainable development of winter sports in Saudi Arabia and across the West Asia region.”
The games were to have been held in Trojena, planned as a year-round ski resort in the mountains of NEOM, a $500 billion project to build a new city in Saudi Arabia’s western desert on the Red Sea.
The Kingdom is slated to host a series of major events in coming years, including the 2030 World Expo in Saudi’s capital, Riyadh, and the 2034 FIFA World Cup.
The events are part of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s sweeping Vision 2030 project that aims to modernize Saudi society and its economy, build a sports hosting portfolio and help diversify the economy from its reliance on oil.
At its core is spending on sports by the $900 billion sovereign wealth operation, the Public Investment Fund.
Latest updates
Recommended
© 2026 SAUDI RESEARCH & PUBLISHING COMPANY, All Rights Reserved And subject to Terms of Use Agreement.