With the late departure of Jhon Durán from Aston Villa to Saudi Arabian side Al Nassr. The English side will look to replace the void that Duran has left. As the latest reports indicate that Villa are looking at a number of options, one being Marco Asensio.
Marco Asensio made his professional debut for RCD Mallorca in the second division of Spanish football. Making 56 appearances during his time with them, accumulating 16 goals and assists with his first professional team.
Following that was a short spell at RCD Espanyol de Barcelona, playing there for one season. Before making his big dream move to Real Madrid in 2016, where he spent most of his prime days in the Spanish capital.
Making 286 appearances for Madrid, while finding the back of the net on 61 occasions, providing 32 assists in the process. Which accumulates to 93 goal involvements during his time there.
This was followed by a surprise move to the French capital, Paris Saint-German. Joining in 2023, Asensio the season before had 43 appearances in both the league and Champions League.
While his goal involvements was yet to decrease, with 12 goals and seven assists in both competitions. (19 G/A) With his move to PSG being quite underwhelming, fiddled with injuries and a lack of game time.
Leading us to the current day, where he is reported to leave the Ligue 1 champions for Aston Villa.
As Fabrizio Romano reported, “Understand Aston Villa are in talks with PSG for Marco Asensio, one of the main names on their list.”
How likely is Asensio to join Villa?
To answer this question accurately, we must add more context to this situation.
For one, Aston Villa are banking €77m for the transfer of Jhon Duran from Al Nassr.
Well, although the transfer window has only a couple of days left before it shuts down. Villa will have the luxury of looking for potential high-profile names other than Asensio.
Where it’s also been reported by Fabrizio Romano “Villa also made contact with Chelsea for João Félix earlier this week, another option depending on the formula.”
In addition to Florian Plettenberg reporting, “Been told that Aston Villa have also contacted FC Bayern about Mathys Tel in the past 24 hours!”
Therefore, there are several options that Villa can pursue other than Asensio. Would the Spanish international potentially be the cheapest option, most likely yes. However, when replacing a 21-year-old forward with bags of potential.
Then bringing in a 29-year-old may not be the most exciting option to take. On the contrary, it could express a lack of ambition from the club.
Therefore, this move may not be very likely to happen depending on what Aston Villa are looking for.
Could this be the best deal for Villa?
As mentioned above, the current situation for the English club does not give enough anticipation for an Asensio-type signing.
Jhon Duran had a crucial part to play for Villa’s late success. Where Unai Emery’s side has not been the most prolific goal-scoring side. With little wide threat, therefore, Ollie Watkins has been granted the responsibility of finding the back of the net.
However, no striker in world football no matter his level can score in every single game. This is where the 21-year-old stepped up, problem-solving and finding the net when Watkins has failed to do so.
That is the profile of player that Villa need to find, and Asensio may not be the answer to the above issues. It could be argued that even Joao Felix may not fill that void, as his goal-scoring numbers have not been too impressive lately.
Leaving Mathys Tel, being one of the best market opportunities lately. Where Tottenham Hotspur has been rumored to have agreed a €60m fee with Bayern Munich.
They could recoup the money from Duran to sign an attainable young star in the making. However, it remains to be seen if the French international would be keen on signing for Aston Villa.