Aston Villa’s move to sign PSG star ‘collapsed’ in the summer | OneFootball

Aston Villa Miss Out As Monchi Reflects On Marco Asensio Pursuit

Monchi Opens Up On Asensio Saga

There are few deals in recent Aston Villa memory that seemed as logical as a permanent move for Marco Asensio. His loan spell at Villa Park brought creativity, composure and moments of high influence, convincing many that a longer stay was on the horizon. Those expectations were shared behind the scenes too.

Former sporting director Monchi has now confirmed he believed the Spanish playmaker would return. He was quoted as saying, “I thought he was going to end up at Villa Park, which was the goal.” That admission cuts to the heart of a pursuit that looked aligned in strategy and sentiment, yet stalled at the final hurdle.

According to Monchi, financial limitations dictated the outcome rather than reluctance. “[The deal collapsed] mainly for financial reasons, because PSG was being tougher on us. In the end Marco was also worried, he was nervous. He saw that the transfer market was going on.”

Financial Hurdles Prove Too Steep

Aston Villa have reshaped their identity under ambitious ownership and sensible recruitment, but there are still defining thresholds that cannot be crossed without jeopardising structure. PSG’s valuation of Asensio, combined with the escalating pace of the market, pushed the deal into uncomfortable territory.

Monchi’s reflection suggests that Asensio himself hesitated as the window unfolded. “He opted for Fenerbahce. It’s true that I thought, we all thought, that he could end up at Villa Park, because he had also had six very good months previously.” Those words point towards a shared belief among Villa’s hierarchy that the deal was not only appealing but achievable until late disruption.

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What Might Have Been For Aston Villa

The appeal of Asensio was clear. His ability to operate centrally or from wide areas added balance to Villa’s attacking structure, offering a calmness in possession that few in the current squad replicate. Had the transfer materialised, Unai Emery would have retained a valuable tactical asset capable of unlocking tight encounters.

Instead, Aston Villa must now move forward without him, while observers speculate how much influence he could have had in European competition this season. Monchi’s comments do not dwell in regret but they do highlight the fine margins at work in elite transfer strategy.

Villa’s New Direction Under Roberto Olabe

Monchi has since been replaced by Roberto Olabe, signalling a fresh approach in Aston Villa’s recruitment network. Whether Olabe revisits an opportunity like Asensio in future windows remains to be seen. What is certain is that Villa are no longer passive operators in the market. They compete for high-calibre talent and expect to be in the conversation for players of genuine pedigree.

The pursuit of Marco Asensio may not have yielded the desired outcome, but the intent behind it reflects a club moving with conviction. As Villa continue to evolve, lessons from near-misses like this will shape the next phase of their ambition.