Aston Villa closing in on Marco Asensio transfer as PSG star 'agrees three-year contract'

As reported earlier this summer, Unai Emery has been obsessed with the idea of bringing Asensio back ever since he left and the head coach could finally be granted his wish. Villa are prioritising signing a new attacking midfielder following Jacob Ramsey’s exit and it’s understood Asensio is the priority target.

Three times a Champions League winner with Real Madrid, Asensio scored eight goals and provided one assist in 21 appearances during his six-month loan from PSG last term. Asensio rapidly surpassed his tally of seven goals in 47 games for the Parisiens across two entire seasons, remarkably netting eight in his first 10 outings for Villa.

Although that form dwindled towards the end of last campaign, Asensio remained a threat and was a great asset in the number 10 role. That creativity was lacking in the Premier League season opener against Newcastle United, many would argue, as Emery’s side stuttered to a bore 0-0 draw at Villa Park.

Aston Villa closing in on Marco Asensio

Talks are ongoing with PSG over the structure of the deal to bring Asensio back to Villa, Birmingham World understands. All parties are hopeful of a resolution, with both another loan and a permanent transfer discussed. Reports of a £13 million deal being agreed between the two clubs are believed to be premature.

As mentioned in our report in June, Asensio doesn’t mind Villa’s lack of Champions League football and he’s keen on the move after developing a great relationship with both Emery and the squad. This information has since been verified widely, with a report from Sky Switzerland last week even suggesting Asensio have already sorted personal terms.

The report states that Asensio has ‘already reached an agreement on personal terms, with a three-year contract at stake’. This would of course only be relevant if Villa proceed with a permanent deal rather than a loan, but it’s a promising development.

Asensio looked set for Fenerbahce at the start of July as talks advanced between the Turkish Super Lig giants and PSG. One of Turkey’s most respected journalists, Yagiz Sabuncuoglu, reported at one stage that Fenerbahce had reached a full agreement with PSG, but the deal hasn’t gone ahead.

Will Asensio’s arrival change Morgan Rogers’ role?

Analysis by Charlie Haffenden

If Asensio completes his Villa Park return, it could have an impact on Morgan Rogers. Despite being deployed on the left wing against Newcastle with John McGinn as the number 10, Rogers is typically best suited when fielded just in behind the striker – and he wouldn’t be able to play there regularly with Asensio in the team.

It’s understood that one of the promises made to Asensio for his initial loan was playing in the number 10 position. The Spaniard had grown frustrated at PSG by being played out on the right flank by Luis Enrique. It’s likely a similar gentlemen’s agreement would be made for Asensio’s return, too.

There have been some concerns among Villa fans about Asensio’s return, not over the 29-year-old’s ability but because of the potential ramifications on Rogers, who would likely play on the right or left as a result. Those concerns are understandable as Rogers’ goalscoring output is worse out wide, but his overall contribution is similar.

Since joining from Middlesbrough, Rogers has scored just one goal in 16 outings on the right flank compared to six in 23 games as an attacking midfielder. The England international’s creative output is better on the right, however, with eight assists on that side compared to just three when deployed as a number 10.

The likeliest contributing factor to this trend is Rogers’ preference to shift the ball to his favoured right foot. If he’s on the right wing, he tends to drift in but then back out again to cross or cut the ball back with his stronger foot. When he’s central, he has a better angle to attack with his right and he finds himself in better positions to shoot.

One way Emery could strike a balance while keeping Asensio central is by moving Rogers to the left, just as he did against Newcastle. Ramsey’s departure leaves Villa a little light on that side and Rogers has - perhaps surprisingly so - been at his most clinical when playing there.

As a left winger, Rogers has scored four goals and made one assist in 10 matches – averaging out at his best rate. That’s of course a smaller sample size, but it’s a strong indicator that he’d succeed. New signing Evann Guessand, brought in for £30 million after add-ons, often played as a right forward for Nice last campaign, so he could take on that role. Then there’s the in-form Donyell Malen, a brilliant alternative Emery could call upon.