Exclusive: ‘Marco Asensio will return to PSG amid Aston Villa concerns’
Marco Asensio looks set to return to PSG this summer despite an impressive loan spell at Aston Villa, according to their former scout.
Mick Brown, who also worked as the chief scout at Man United and Blackburn and remains very well-connected at his former clubs, exclusively told Football Insider that Villa have concerns about the 29-year-old’s fitness levels.
This comes as the Spaniard has completed 90 minutes just once across his 18 appearances since joining Unai Emery’s side in the mid-season transfer window.
Meanwhile, Football Insider revealed on 1 May that Villa are not convinced about signing Asensio permanently given the costs involved in a potential deal.
Instead, they will turn their attentions towards signing another attacking midfielder during the summer transfer window.
Legendary Man City midfielder Kevin de Bruyne and Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze have both been linked with the move in recent weeks.
Aston Villa make Marco Asensio decision amid new concerns
Brown told Football Insider in February that Villa were planning to sign Asensio permanently after a terrific start to his career at Villa Park.
However, the former scout who has a wealth of experience in top-level player recruitment after over a decade at Man United during their most successful period, has since explained that concerns have cropped up during his loan spell.
“Asensio will go back to PSG,” he told Football Insider.
“He’s a very talented player, but they’re concerned he might have lost his legs a bit.
“Villa create situations and he can get involved, he’s got that quality and ability to make a difference in the final third whether it’s scoring or creating.
“The issue is, he can’t be in those positions where he can make the difference for 90 minutes.
“Like I say, he’s extremely talented, but I think Villa want somebody with a bit more energy.
“They want to play at a high tempo, and the signings of Rashford and Malen have injected that pace into the team which Asensio lacks.
“Ideally, they’d have somebody who can give them that drive and creativity together, so if they can bring in somebody like that then they will.“
Jacob Ramsey ‘unhappy’ at Villa Park after exit latest
Asensio may not be the only first-team player heading away from Villa Park this summer, as Jacob Ramsey has also been linked with a move.
Football Insider revealed on 8 May that Ramsey is unhappy at Aston Villa and has been frustrated with his lack of starts under Unai Emery this season.
The possibility of a summer transfer is now increasing, with another big overhaul on the cards at Villa and a number of first-team stars likely to leave.
Meanwhile, Brown told Football Insider on 7 May that Villa could accept offers for Ramsey ahead of the summer transfer window.
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