Monchi Reveals Why Aston Villa Could Not Permanently Sign 29-Year-Old Star Attacker: Why Was He Important For The Lions? | OneFootball

Aston Villa imagined a summer where Marco Asensio’s name would light up Villa Park again. However, the story took an unexpected turn. After a loan spell that brought new energy into their attack last season, Villa wanted to make his return permanent.

The Spanish forward impressed under Unai Emery’s guidance and fitted smoothly into Villa’s tactical plans. He scored eight goals and delivered positive performances, especially in the comeback win over Chelsea, which made him a fan favourite. Yet as the transfer window dragged on, optimism slowly turned into frustration.

Monchi reveals why Aston Villa could not sign Marco Asensio permanently in the summer

According to ElDesmarque, former President of Football Operations Monchi admitted his disappointment that he couldn’t bring Asensio back from Paris Saint-Germain. He said both sides made progress in talks, and the forward himself pushed for the move.

However, PSG stood firm on their demands, and the clock started to work against Villa. As the market moved fast, Asensio grew anxious and accepted a three-year deal with Fenerbahçe for a reported £7.5 million. Monchi expected the Spaniard to return to Villa Park, but finances and timing decided the outcome.

He said: “Yes, yes, because I thought he was going to end up at Villa Park, which was the objective, but well, in the end, mainly for financial reasons, because PSG were being tougher on us.

“Marco was also worried, he was nervous, because he saw the transfer market going on and (the deal was) not closing, so he opted for Fenerbahce and well, let’s hope for his luck. I indeed thought, we all thought, that he could end up at Villa Park, because he’d also had a very good six months previously.”

This twist makes Villa reflect on what they missed. Their poor attacking form continues to worry Emery. The side scored only one goal from six Premier League matches, which showed how much creativity Asensio could have added. Meanwhile, we reported earlier that Aston Villa are keeping a close watch as Tottenham eye Vasco da Gama’s young gem Rayan. This shows that the club may already focus on younger targets as they handle their transfer problems.

Was Marco Asensio the Missing Piece Villa Needed?

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND – MAY 16: Marco Asensio of Aston Villa applauds the fans following the Premier League match between Aston Villa FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC at Villa Park on May 16, 2025 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)

Many fans believe Villa’s chase for the 29-year-old made perfect sense. He brought flair, intelligence, and versatility; qualities Emery values deeply. The manager wanted to keep him because Asensio could move between lines and break open tight defences.

Villa have badly missed that skill. His knack for key goals gave them an attacking edge that disappeared after his exit. After selling Jacob Ramsey to Newcastle United for £40 million, Villa finally secured the funds. They agreed on personal terms with Asensio, but his PSG wages blocked the move.

Villa faced limits from financial rules and squad balance, which stopped them from completing the deal. The forward’s switch to Turkey now feels like a missed opportunity instead of a failed attempt. This situation raises questions about Villa’s planning.