Whilst international games seem to be as popular as ever with the ever expanding calendar, there is probably one thing that all football fans agree on and that is that international breaks have become absolutely ridiculous in the modern day media as stories get regurgitated, and quite often invented, just to fill proverbial column inches and gain clicks.
At these times of the month it is always safe to take any news story with a huge pinch of salt, but every now and then there is a story that catches the eye. This one inevitably concerns the ongoing cost cutting measures taking place at Old Trafford following Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s minority takeover of Manchester United, and the fate and fortunes of former Red Devil’s star Marcus Rashford remains centre stage.
His future at the club has long been in doubt with various questions raised about his attitude, and quite a public falling out with new manager Ruben Amorim, but late on during the January transfer window Aston Villa unexpectedly realised they had a chance to bring him in, and more quickly to do just that.
Amongst the commentary and punditry meltdown that took place with the faux outrage that he could deign to depart his boyhood club, he is re-invigorated under Unai Emery and has just earned himself a recall into the England set up for Thomas Tuchel’s first games in charge.
Some outfits have since claimed that it now appears almost certain he will complete a permanent move away from the club during the summer, despite it being quite well reported that Villa have already agreed a buy clause for United in their initial negotiations.
It is also being claimed that United have now just upped his summer valuation owing to his recall, and that he will now no longer be available on the cheap. A £40 million buy out clause for a player with presumably limited January interest can hardly be considered cheap. Notwithstanding that, if a buy clause has been inserted, I am pretty sure United have some staff left with the experience to have covered their bases.
X amount if he is injured but you still want him, X amount for meeting this level of games, X amount for games and goals, and even X amount for an international recall. The buy clause would be in some way related to his performance levels and how important he makes himself to the Midlands club.
So, has his price really gone up now, or is it just an educated guess that a new pre-agreed fee has now come into play and the only people who may have been surprised by this are those feeling that they have just reported on a new exclusive.
Let us hope proper football, and proper news, returns sooner rather than later.