Fabrizio Romano delivers Marcos Asensio and Aston Villa transfer update as ‘permanent move’ to be discussed

Aston Villa made a splash on transfer deadline day with the late signing of three-time Champions League winning midfielder Marco Asensio. The 36-time Spanish international was signed with the hopes of recharging Unai Emery’s team’s bid for Champions League qualification after the high-profile departures of Jhon Duran, Jaden Philogene, Diego Carlos and Emi Buendia.

Asensio was introduced to the first team from the subs bench during last weekend’s 2-1 FA Cup victory alongside fellow signing Marcus Rashford and was able to make a positive impact in the final 26 minutes as Villa breezed into the fifth round of the competition.

The Spaniard's touch was excellent, he was composed in possession and his opening minutes showed just what he is capable of offering Emery’s team in a Villa shirt. But does the 29-year-old’s loan deal include a permanent option and just how likely is he to stay beyond the rest of the season?

Fabrizio Romano provides Marco Asensio update

Italian transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that Aston Villa’s move for Paris Saint-Germain playmaker Marcos Asensio is simply a loan deal with no obligation or option to buy at the end of the season. However, Asensio after making just 12 league appearances and falling down the pecking order at the Parc des Princes faces an uncertain future in the French capital and is not thought to be part of Luis Enrique’s long-term plans.

He played most of this season in the false nine position and has been unable to win a spot in his preferred central midfield or wide attacking role. Romano explains that discussions over a permanent move are ongoing and will be based entirely on how the Spaniard adapts to his new surroundings in the West Midlands.

He posted on X: “Aston Villa and PSG did not include a buy option into the loan deal for Marco Asensio. But both clubs are open to a potential permanent move in the summer based on performances, to be assessed/discussed in June.”

What Marco Asensio brings to Aston Villa

In an action-packed transfer window at Villa Park, the bulk of the headlines were written about Marcus Rashford’s loan switch from Manchester United, but it could easily be argued that the signing of Asensio is in fact a bigger coup if Emery can get the best out of him.

Asensio is a four-time league champion and a three-time Champions League winner, who has starred for two of the biggest teams in world football including Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain. He progressed through the Real Mallorca academy and broke into the first team at just 17 before agreeing to join Real Madrid in 2014 after catching the eye of Carlo Ancelotti.

The Spanish international enjoyed loan spells back at Mallorca and Espanyol before becoming a regular stalwart in the Madrid team during one of the most successful eras in the club’s history as the team lifted three league titles, three Champions League, one Copa del Rey while registering 61 goals and 32 assists in 286 matches at the Bernabeu. He joined Paris-Saint-Germain upon the expiration of his contract in 2023 and helped the French giants to a league and cup double while also progressing to the semi-finals of the Champions League.

Asensio’s arrival immediately gives Villa experience in navigating the latter stages of European competitions and also offers them further flair and creativity to create chances. He has the potential to play numerous positions and is renowned for his ability to unlock some of the world’s tightest defences.