Aston Villa do not have first option to sign £40m Marcus Rashford from Manchester United this summer - Paper Round

Friday's Paper Round leads on Marcus Rashford being available for just £40 million this summer - but Aston Villa do not have the first option to sign the Manchester United forward. Meanwhile, Liverpool are set to trigger Bayer Leverkusen star Jeremie Frimpong's £30m release clause, and Real Madrid are in pole position to sign Bournemouth defender Dean Huijsen.

Rashford available for just £40m this summer

Marcus Rashford will leave Manchester United for just £40 million this summer, according to The Sun.

The forward is currently on loan at Aston Villa, where an impressive run of form has earned him an England recall.

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But Unai Emery's side do not have the first option to buy the 27-year-old.

The article reads: "Aston Villa will have the option to buy the Manchester United ace after he spent the last half of the season on loan with them.

"However, Unai Emery's side do not have the first option on the 27-year-old and other clubs can sign him for the same fee in the close season.

"Villa have confirmed that Rashford is not fit to face Tottenham tomorrow, meaning he has played his last game for them.

"The challenge will be to find a club which is willing to pay Rashford’s £315,000-a-week wages as he does not want to take a pay cut.

"Villa are believed to be covering around 75% of that while he is on loan with them with United making up the shortfall.

"They may have to enter into a similar arrangement if they want to get him off the books permanently this summer."

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Liverpool to seal Frimpong transfer

Liverpool are set to trigger the £30m release clause of Bayer Leverkusen star Jeremie Frimpong.

The Times claims the right-back will replace Trent Alexander-Arnold, who will reportedly link up with Real Madrid when his contract expires.

"Liverpool are expected to approach Bayer Leverkusen and formally trigger the £30m release clause that will make Jeremie Frimpong the first signing of the club’s summer recruitment drive," the article reads.

"Frimpong, 24, has been identified as one of the players who will bring freshness to Arne Slot’s reshaped squad as the Liverpool head coach looks to build on this season’s title success.

"There is also an interest in his Leverkusen team-mate Florian Wirtz, whom Liverpool have tracked for a number of years, and should he show an inclination to move to the Premier League this summer then the champions will make a strong pitch for the attacking midfielder."

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Real move in on Huijsen

Real Madrid are closing in on the signing of Bournemouth defender Dean Huijsen.

Los Blancos have activated the Dutchman's £50m release clause, according to a report in The Sun, meaning he could join Trent Alexander-Arnold in their defence next season.

The outlet states: "Real Madrid have reportedly activated the release clause in Dean Huijsen's Bournemouth contract.

"The defender has impressed in his debut season in the Premier League and attracted a number of suitors.

"SunSport exclusively revealed that Real Madrid added Huijsen, 20, to their list of targets back in January.

"Now, the Athletic have claimed that the La Liga giants have agreed to pay his £50m release clause.

"It is also suggested that Los Blancos are now working to finalise the signing.

"This includes talks over Huijsen's personal terms with his representatives, who are in Madrid."

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Man Utd not prioritising new goalkeeper

Manchester United will not be splashing out on a new goalkeeper this summer, according to the Mirror.

Andre Onana has been linked with a move away having suffered a disappointing season, which hit a low point when he was dropped following an error-strewn display in the UEFA Europa League first-leg match with Lyon.

But The Red Devils are prioritising other positions in the transfer market.

"Manchester United do not regard a goalkeeper as a priority target this summer," reads the article.

"United have prioritised three or four key signings, with their prime targets a playmaker, a striker and a midfielder.

"Ruben Amorim wants a new goalie for his first full season in charge but United have no plans to spend a significant sum on one unless Andre Onana leaves.

"Onana, 29, wants to stay at United and his recent switch to the LIAN Sports Group agency was not with a view to a summer transfer.

"LIAN have a number of clients in the Saudi Pro League, which would be the only realistic outlet for Onana if he has a change of heart."

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