Why new Aston Villa deal could be possible for midfield star as summer transfer falls through
One of Aston Villa’s trio of 2024/25 loan players could be in line for a shock return to Villa Park next season.
Marco Asensio spent the second half of last season on loan from Paris Saint-Germain, who knocked the Villans out of the Champions League after a dramatic quarter-final tie.
Asensio is surplus to requirements at the Parc des Princes, with the European champions and Club World Cup finalists opting for a younger profile throughout their squad under Luis Enrique.
The 29-year-old is financially out of reach for Villa as things stand. His reported weekly wage of £240,000+ is a significant amount for a club tasked with reducing the salary cost of its Champions League squad.
But any idea of a permanent transfer this summer was quickly dismissed and Asensio’s future remains up in the air despite a move elsewhere appearing to be all but done.
Despite interest from Inter Milan, Asensio looked to be heading for Fenerbahçe to link up with former Villans Diego Carlos and, if he shows up, Jhon Durán.
But the Istanbul club have been unable to agree personal terms with Asensio, whose wage demands have reportedly stalled the move.
Fenerbahçe transfer falling through?
“Unai Emery is notably keen to keep his compatriot at Villa Park for next season,” reports Get Football News France. “Fenerbahçe are keen to recruit the player, who has not yet reached a financial agreement with the Turkish club. Asensio is not willing to make considerable financial sacrifices to make that deal happen.”
Asensio made a big contribution to Villa’s excellent form in the back end of last season. While his physical attributes might be unsuited for the Premier League on the surface, the Spanish international brought class and creativity into Emery’s attack.
He also hit a crucial purple patch in front of goal, netting eight goals in total in the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup.
Villa looking at loans late in the transfer window
Limited transfer business up to this point seems to put Villa in a position where pushing the big red button marked ‘Plan B’ is mighty tempting.
In many ways, a quiet transfer window would be a win for Villa.
Not recruiting in the handful of areas where improvement and depth would be helpful isn’t what Monchi and Emery would have wanted but if they manage (and choose) to hold on to all of their key players despite missing out on Champions League qualification, they’re back where they were in January.
In that window, Villa bolstered their squad with loan deals Asensio, Marcus Rashford and Axel Disasi. They won eight of their last eleven Premier League games and almost pulled off a surprise Champions League return.
They’ll likely see the same sort of opportunity again in lieu of realistic permanent transfers. If Asensio coming back to Villa Park is an option, it’s certainly one they will – and should – consider very carefully.
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