Aston Villa have one key hurdle they must clear to improve their chances of completing a permanent deal for Marco Asensio this summer, reports The Mail.
Aston Villa fans are desperate to see Asensio stay at the club, having witnessed the Spaniard come to life in the Midlands.
However, despite Aston Villa making plans to sign Asensio on a permanent deal in the summer, expert Mick Brown told Football Insider exclusively, a hitch has emerged in the deal for the Spaniard.
Unai Emery is a major factor in Marco Asensio’s future plans.
Champions League football necessary for Marco Asensio deal
As reported by The Mail, it is understood that PSG would be willing to let Asensio leave for a relatively small fee, between £15million and £20million.
However, having played Champions League for his entire career, the Spaniard may have his doubts about signing for a club not competing in the competition.
Asensio is believed to be earning about £8.3million a year for PSG, and Villa are already spending 96% of their revenue on player wages [Birmingham Live], so adding the former Real Madrid man’s wages to that total would be a “balancing act”.
2024/25 Premier League statsAsensioAppearances4Starts2Goals2Assists0Minutes206
Despite the current arrangement being low-risk in Villa’s favour, with the attacking midfielder only being with the club until June 30, if the 29-year-old were to sign permanently on a three, or four-year contract, it would come with the expectation of Asensio being a fixed starter in the Villains’ starting XI.
Unai Emery has been a major factor for the Spanish international, as he wants to play for the former Arsenal manager, and is excited at the prospect of being the main man at Villa Park.
Villa currently sit ninth in the Premier League, as they attempt to win both the FA Cup, and Champions League.
However, the Midlands side are only four points behind Man City, who occupy the last remaining likely Champions League spot in the league this season.
Marcus Rashford has been brilliant for Aston Villa this season.
Marcus Rashford permanent deal could cause issues for Marco Asensio remaining at Aston Villa
Football Insider Verdict
This summer presents a difficult situation for Villa. In January, they took a chance on signing both Rashford and Asensio on loan, two misfits who have struggled in recent years.
Both deals now look like a stroke of genius, with the Englishman, and the Spaniard both looking back to their best.
This has presented a new issue, with Villa struggling to remain PSR compliant in recent years, signing both players permanently could be a step too far, financially speaking.
Should the Midlands side look to make Man United man’s deal permanent, and succeed in doing so, with Barcelona interested in Rashford, they may struggle to sign Asensio as well.
There is a chance that Villa could look to make another temporary deal with PSG for the Spaniard, but with the success of his loan move, the Parisians will likely want to cash-in on the Spanish international this summer, with his stock arguably at it’s highest since his Real Madrid days.
