Marcus Rashford 'gave green light to Villa's rivals' as reason for failed transfer emerges

will be vying to continue his menacing record against when he steps onto the Parc des Princes pitch in the quarter-finals. But while he is set to face the champions on Wednesday night, the winger could be playing for the opposition next season.

PSG's long-term interest in Rashford has been well-documented across years of links with a move away from . The French giants' desire to sign the 27-year-old peaked in 2022 amid relentless speculation surrounding Kylian Mbappe and Neymar's futures in Paris. According to , PSG with Rashford's brothers, who serve as his representatives, and the interest was reciprocated.

The report adds that Rashford went as far as to give PSG the green light for a 2022 transfer and was prepared to leave United.

However, in May of that year, the sporting director leading the charge, Leonardo, suddenly left the club, which saw the deal collapse.

The Parisiens then went in a different direction, and Rashford produced his career-best season at Old Trafford, scoring 30 goals in all competitions under Erik ten Hag.

But three years later, the England international could finally be in line to complete a switch to the French capital at the end of the season.

L'Equipe claim that Rashford would have joined PSG if Leonardo stayed at the club. That said, his replacement, Luis Campos, wasn't the reason the move broke down.

Former chief Antero Henrique and agent Pini Zahavi were reportedly the catalysts for the unsuccessful transfer, but both are no longer involved.

And it's said that Campos, despite his uncertain future at PSG, has renewed contact with Rashford's camp to orchestrate a deal.

Villa have a £40million option to buy Rashford at the end of the campaign. However, the high-profile forward was thought to be waiting for an overseas switch in January that never arrived.

Rashford reportedly prioritised a move to Barcelona before the La Liga giants failed to generate the finances required.

While he appears happy at PSG, interest from a European giant in the ilk of PSG or Barca would be hard for the ex-United poster boy to ignore.

L'Equipe add that PSG are in the market for further attacking reinforcements after recruiting Khvicha Kvaratskhelia in January.

And the wheels are seemingly already in motion to lure Rashford to Luis Enrique's squad once the summer transfer window opens.