Aston Villa weigh loan or permanent deal for PSG forward | OneFootball

Emery Eyes Asensio Return to Villa Park

Aston Villa are exploring the possibility of bringing Paris St-Germain forward Marco Asensio back to the club for a second successive season, according to The Telegraph. Unai Emery is understood to be weighing up both a permanent deal and a loan option, with the Spaniard still firmly in his long-term plans.

The 29-year-old joined Villa on loan in January alongside Marcus Rashford, scoring eight goals in 21 appearances across all competitions. Emery values Asensio for his ability to operate in a range of attacking roles, describing him as a player of “versatility and quality in key areas”.

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Transfer Competition and Contract Situation

Interest in Asensio is not limited to Villa. Clubs from Turkey and Saudi Arabia have also been linked this summer. With just one year remaining on his PSG contract, a move could benefit all parties. The French champions may even accept a cut-price deal to ease their wage bill, creating an opening for Villa to strike.

Villa’s transfer activity has been relatively quiet, with the notable arrival of £23.5 million signing Evann Guessand from Nice. The focus has largely been on securing new contracts for core players such as Youri Tielemans and John McGinn, while Jacob Ramsey is already in talks over an extension.

Squad Stability and Strategic Decisions

Boubacar Kamara and Lucas Digne have committed their long-term futures to the club, underlining Emery’s desire to retain key personnel. Villa may still need to offload players to remain compliant with Uefa’s financial rules before the 1 September deadline. Emiliano Martinez, subject to an audacious but swiftly rejected loan bid from Manchester United, remains a pivotal figure, while Leon Bailey’s future is less certain due to a lack of solid interest.

Season Kick-off Against Newcastle

With the Premier League season beginning at home to Newcastle United on Saturday, Emery will be keen to settle his squad quickly. Asensio’s return could offer a timely boost in attacking depth and tactical flexibility, particularly if Villa hope to push for European qualification once more.

Our View – EPL Index Analysis

Villa fans are right to be both excited and cautious about the prospect of Marco Asensio returning. Excited, because his eight-goal haul last season showed exactly what he can bring to the team. His ability to slot into multiple positions gives Emery genuine tactical freedom, which could be crucial in a campaign where fixture congestion will again be a factor.

However, there is also a degree of scepticism. Asensio’s availability at a cut-price fee is appealing, but competition from overseas clubs with deep pockets could complicate matters. The fact that Villa’s transfer business has been limited so far may frustrate some supporters, particularly with rivals strengthening aggressively.

Retaining Kamara, Digne, and potentially Tielemans and McGinn is positive, yet financial fair play restrictions mean player sales are likely. That could disrupt squad harmony unless managed carefully. If Asensio does return, it could be the spark that lifts Villa into the next tier, but without additional reinforcements, Emery’s men may find themselves stretched in the fight for a top-six finish.