Aston Villa receive green light to begin shock swoop for £17m-rated Champions League star

Aston Villa have reportedly initiated discussions with Paris Saint-Germain over the possible signing of attacking midfielder Marco Asensio.

The 38-time former Spain international has been a peripheral figure at PSG this season, accumulating just 755 minutes across Ligue 1 and the Champions League. The Parisiens’ head coach, Luis Enrique, has preferred the likes of Kang-in Lee, Bradley Barcola, Ousmane Dembele and Destiny Doue in the starting lineup.

Villa have shown interest in signing Asensio in the past and it appears they have reared their heads again as Fabrizio Romano reports Villa are “in talks” with PSG to figure out Asensio’s availability. The 29-year-old is said to be interested in a transferring to Villa Park though it’s unclear if any deal would be permanent or just a loan.

Birmingham World understands Chelsea’s Joao Felix is Emery’s first choice but other options are being considered, including Bayern Munich’s Mathys Tel. There’s plenty of competition for the 19-year-old, however, with fellow Premier League clubs Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal all interested.

Asensio can now well and truly be added to the list of credible targets, too. Speculation around his future isn’t quite as rife as the likes of Felix and Tel but competition is still out there with Atletico Madrid, Juventus and Olympiacos among those rumoured to be keen.

Predominantly a right winger, Asensio is also capable of playing as a number 10 or as an out-and-out centre-forward. The former Real Madrid star boasts a remarkable medal collection including three UEFA Champions League titles, a hat-trick of UEFA Super Cups, three La Ligas, four FIFA Club World Cups and one UEFA Nations League crown.

Asensio has also won the Ligue 1 title once, as well as three domestic French cup competitions with PSG and a further three Spanish cup trophies with Madrid. Such experience could really benefit Villa as they aim to progress through the last 16 of the Champions League into the quarter-finals and beyond.

Aston Villa receive huge cash injection

Emery will soon welcome a healthy boost to his transfer kitty with Jhon Duran set to complete a stunning €77 million (£64.5m) transfer to Al-Nassr. Duran, who has agreed terms on a five-and-a-half year deal, will join up with Cristiano Ronaldo at the Saudi Pro League club.

When asked about the Duran situation on Wednesday night, Emery admitted: “I don’t know exactly until everything is done if Jhon Duran is leaving or not, but if he is leaving, it’s good news for us because they are paying good money.

“It’s good for him, we developed one good player in two years getting this offer. This is one thing for the club, the player and the team. Those three circumstances can be positive.

“The club is working, we have to be intelligent and competitive. Of course we are developing players and increasing our objective, increasing our target – getting it playing in the Champions League.

“We are in the eyes for other strong teams and other strong countries or leagues like in Arabia. It’s something I can feel proud of, because they are improving and we are having players interesting for other clubs and as well paying good money for us.

“He’s a fantastic player with fantastic potential as a young player. I was always trying to give my advice for everything, I was so close with him in his development. But the players as well have their objectives and their ambitions, in case he’s leaving it’s because he prefers to do another way in his career.”