Como president reveals how Serie A club tried and failed in ambitious bid to reunite Man Utd outcast Marcus Rashford with Dele Alli in Italy

Rashford was linked with a move to several clubs across Europe, including Como, throughout January, following the player getting banished from the United first team by Ruben Amorim. Towards the end of the transfer window, the striker finally completed a loan switch to Aston Villa, with an option to buy him outright for £40 million ($49m) in the summer.

Como president Mirwan Suwarso has admitted the club did try to bring in a few high-profile players in January, including Rashford and AC Milan's Theo Hernandez. Although they failed, the Serie A side did manage to sign Dele Alli as a free agent after his exit from Everton.

Speaking to Sky Italia when asked if Como pursued Rashford and Hernandez, Suwarso said: "We tried to do our best to give our coach the players he needed for his style of football. We analysed our needs and, when possible, we tried to resolve them. You have read about many names. Well, not all of them, but many were true. We were close to many players, some of whom did not leave."

"Yes, we tried, but we are also aware that we are a small club, so there are people who still do not take us seriously. When these big names hear about Como, they say ‘no, I want to play in the Champions League'.

"This makes sense, we understand well what we can and cannot do. We dream. As human beings, this is what always makes us move forward. Every day we look forward to something bigger, every day we try to do something better than the day before."

The 27-year-old forward, who made his Aston Villa debut in the side's FA Cup win over Tottenham last weekend, will be next seen in action for Unai Emery's men on Saturday as they take on Ipswich Town in the Premier League.