‘Aston Villa make final Marco Asensio transfer decision’
Aston Villa have pulled the plug on their ambitions of signing Marco Asensio on a permanent deal, according to their former senior scout.
Mick Brown, who also worked as the chief scout at Man United and Sunderland and remains very well-connected within the game, exclusively told Football Insider that Unai Emery is prepared to move on without the 29-year-old in his squad.
The Spaniard’s wage demands are believed to be prohibitive for Villa, while a number of European clubs are also preparing to step up their interest.
This comes after Brown told Football Insider that Asensio “will return to PSG” after concerns were raised about his fitness levels and longevity.
Emery is now prepared to move in a different direction, with a number of first-team players potentially leaving in “major” changes at Villa Park.
Meanwhile, Brown told Football Insider in May that Villa have begun working on replacing Asensio as well as Marcus Rashford and potentially Ollie Watkins.
Aston Villa make Marco Asensio decision after Emery claim
Football Insider revealed on 1 May that Villa are not convinced about signing Asensio permanently given the costs involved in a potential deal.
Brown, who has a wealth of experience in top-level player recruitment after over a decade at Man United during their most successful period, explained that while the midfielder’s talent is clear to see, there are concerns about him physically.
“When he came to Villa on loan, he came at the right time,” he told Football Insider.
“Alongside Marcus Rashford, they gave Villa something different and worked brilliantly together to make the most out of the talent they have.
“It worked terrifically for Villa, but I do get the feeling it was only a short-term thing.
“Technically and mentally, Asensio is a fantastic player, but physically there are some concerns.
“Villa have questions about whether he can still cut it every week at this level.
“It looks like there are question marks over a few players at Villa this summer for a number of different reasons, but there could be major changes.
“From what I hear, Emery is prepared to move on without certain players, and Asensio is one of those.
“With the changes going on there, I think they’re going to head in a new direction.
“He’s a top-class player with plenty of ability, and there are a few clubs in Europe who are going to have a look at him especially if Villa don’t make a move.”
Ollie Watkins update emerges amid Man United interest
While they are prepared to move on without Asensio, Villa seem to have done a U-turn with regard to the future of Ollie Watkins amid interest from Man United.
Football Insider revealed on 5 July that Villa are reluctant to cash in on Watkins as they would be left without a recognised striker in Emery’s squad.
After Jhon Duran, now of Fenerbahce, left to join Al-Nassr in January and Rashford returned to Old Trafford, Watkins has re-established himself as the first-choice.
Man United are not the only clubs interested in the England striker, though, as Brown told Football Insider that Arsenal could re-ignite their interest in Watkins.
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