‘From what I’m told’ – I’m expecting Marco Asensio to rejoin Aston Villa soon
Aston Villa have begun working on a deal to bring Marco Asensio back to Villa Park, 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 at his former clubs, exclusively told Football Insider that talks have already taken place with Paris Saint-Germain.
Villa initially decided against making the 29-year-old’s loan spell permanent, but have reconsidered their stance as Unai Emery aims to strengthen his squad.
Brown told Football Insider at the start of July that Villa had pulled the plug on signing Asensio and would instead consider other attacking targets.
However, PSG are now believed to be open to accepting a cut-price offer before the transfer window closes as the Spaniard has just one year remaining on his contract.
As a result, Football Insider revealed on 14 August at Villa are advancing in talks to sign Asesnio, with Emery leading to push for his signing.
Aston Villa work on re-signing PSG star Marco Asensio
This article contains exclusive comment from Mick Brown, a football transfer expert and former chief scout for Man United and Sunderland among others.
Brown told Football Insider in March that Villa had held talks about signing Asesnio permanently after the early success of his loan spell at Villa Park.
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, insisted the player is keen to rejoin and personal terms should be a formality.
“I expect Asensio will return to Aston Villa,” he told Football Insider.
“There’s been a lot of talk about losing key players and who could potentially leave, but the manager still wants to strengthen his squad.
“From what I’m told, they’ve had talks with PSG about bringing him back.
“They’d spoken about another loan, but it seems a cheaper deal might be possible.
“PSG want to sell, so this late in the window it gives the opportunity for Villa to move in.
“In the framework of their team last season, with Rashford in the team, he performed brilliantly and helped to facilitate his place in the side.
“The concern was that he might not have the legs any more to play week in, week out.
“So I think initially they decided they would look elsewhere to replace him.
“There has never been any doubt about his talent, though, and they know him well so he’s still been on their radar throughout the window.
“From his point of view as well, he’s not part of the plans at PSG so returning to Villa makes sense and I think it’s a move he wants to make.”
Villa join Newcastle in race to sign Nicolas Jackson after talks
Asensio is not the only player being targeted by Villa in the closing stages of the window, as they have also set their sights on Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson.
Football Insider revealed on 15 August that Jackson has told friends he wants to join Villa despite rival interest from Newcastle United.
Emery worked closely with the Senegal international during their time at Villarreal and is keen on a reunion as he aims to strengthen his side up front.
Meanwhile, Football Insider revealed that Jackson could push to leave Chelsea if it becomes clear he is not in Enzo Maresca’s plans for the season.
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