“he’d be Marcus Rashford Upgrade”: Emery now wants Aston Villa to sign “special” £42m star
Uncertain Future for Rashford at Villa as Ferran Torres Emerges as Ideal Replacement
The summer transfer window is set to be an intriguing one for Marcus Rashford, with growing speculation surrounding his future at Manchester United. Despite his impactful loan spell at Aston Villa during the second half of last season, a permanent return to Villa Park now appears unlikely.
Rashford made a significant impression during his short stint in the West Midlands, playing a key role in Villa’s attacking resurgence under Unai Emery. However, reports from BBC Sport in mid-May indicated that Rashford believes his parent club, Manchester United, are open to selling him for a fee in the region of £40 million. While Villa were seen as a potential destination, that valuation and other underlying factors seem to have ruled them out of the running.
Reading between the lines, it’s becoming clear that Rashford’s time at Villa may be remembered fondly but briefly. With a permanent transfer off the table, the Villans must now shift their focus to identifying a suitable alternative capable of replicating his dynamism and offensive output.
Villa Set Their Sights on Ferran Torres as Emery Eyes Statement Signing
Finding a replacement for a player of Rashford’s quality is no simple task. The England international brought pace, directness, and goal contributions in abundance, and the club’s recruitment team—led by sporting director Monchi—is under pressure to bring in someone of similar caliber, all while navigating the challenges posed by the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR).
Fortunately for Villa supporters, it seems manager Unai Emery already has a clear target in mind. According to a report from journalist Graeme Bailey, Aston Villa are “keeping very close tabs” on Barcelona forward Ferran Torres—a player who has been attracting Premier League attention since his move away from Manchester City.
The 24-year-old Spanish international is reportedly high on Emery’s wishlist, with the manager believed to be a major driving force behind Villa’s interest. Sources claim Emery would “absolutely love” to bring Torres back to England, seeing him as the perfect addition to Villa’s attacking ranks.
In terms of cost, a Spanish media report from May valued Torres at approximately £42 million—remarkably close to the figure United are said to be asking for Rashford. For Villa, this makes Torres not only a stylistic replacement but also a financially viable one.
Torres vs Rashford: A Statistical Showdown
From a statistical perspective, Ferran Torres could represent a natural successor to Rashford at Villa Park. While the two players differ in style at times, their recent numbers show striking similarities in overall impact.
During the 2024/25 season, Torres was a key figure for Barcelona, even amid fierce competition for places in their forward line. Sharing the pitch with stars like Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha, and teenage prodigy Lamine Yamal, Torres still managed to register 19 goals and 7 assists in 45 appearances across all competitions.
In La Liga specifically, he notched 10 goals and 6 assists in 27 appearances—a strong return considering his rotational role. One of his standout performances came in the Copa del Rey, where he netted a hat-trick in a 5-0 demolition of his former club Valencia at the Mestalla.
Comparatively, Rashford’s brief loan spell at Villa was nothing short of electric. Despite only making 17 appearances, he recorded 4 goals and 6 assists across 940 minutes of football—roughly 10 full games—giving him an impressive goal involvement rate of 0.96 per 90 minutes. It’s clear that he made the most of his time at Villa Park.
However, Torres is no stranger to English football himself. During his spell at Manchester City, he played 28 Premier League matches, scoring 9 goals and adding 3 assists. His experience with the demands of the English game could prove crucial if he returns to the Premier League with Villa.
FBref data also suggests that both players share similar offensive profiles. Over the last 365 days, Torres has averaged 3.09 shot-creating actions per 90 minutes, compared to Rashford’s 3.55. These stats highlight how heavily both players are involved in building attacks, not just finishing them.
According to football scout Antonio Mango, Torres is a “special” player—and the numbers back up that claim. His ability to combine creativity with end product makes him a worthy candidate to fill Rashford’s void.
A Smart Investment for Villa?
At a reported fee of £42 million, Torres could prove to be a shrewd signing for Aston Villa. The club would be getting a player entering his prime, with top-level experience in both the Premier League and La Liga, and international pedigree with Spain.
With Unai Emery pushing hard for his arrival, and the player’s profile closely matching that of Rashford, it’s easy to see why the club are seriously considering the move. If the deal materialises, Torres would not only fill the gap left by Rashford but potentially elevate Villa’s attack to another level.
In a summer that could see plenty of player movement, Ferran Torres might just become one of Villa’s headline additions—bringing flair, goals, and a touch of Spanish magic back to the Premier League.