Aston Villa could be shooting themselves in the foot as worrying Marco Asensio update drops
Aston Villa will look back on this summer transfer window as one full of missed opportunities.
Villa has tried to get the ball rolling this summer despite Premier League PSR restrictions.
Unai Emery set his sights on Nicolas Jackson, but missed out on the Chelsea forward. Then came Christopher Nkunku, who ended up signing for AC Milan.
Nevertheless, Yasin Ozcan and Evan Guessand are new Villa signings, and the Villans are hungry for more. Marco Asensio has remained a constant throughout this period, but that could now change.
Marco Asensio now Lucas Paqueta alternative
Villa have been keen on Marco Asensio’s return to Villa Park after he went back to PSG following the completion of his loan deal.
However, Lucas Paqueta has emerged as a priority target for Villa, who are doing everything in their power to sign him.
According to Sachi Tavolieri via X on Sunday 31 August, Paqueta’s deal could not have a real impact on Asensio’s transfer to Villa.
The Spaniard is now seen as an alternative, which opens the door for Fenerbache to enter and win the race. Talks remain ongoing to convince Asensio of the move, whose heart is currently set on the Villans.
PSG want £17.3million for the midfielder but are open to negotiating a deal for a similar price.
It would be a huge mistake for the Villans to put all their eggs in Paqueta’s basket. West Ham are not eager to sell their best midfielder, which makes their pursuit of him pointless in several regards.
Furthermore, Paqueta will no doubt come at a price closer to £60m than the £17m PSG are hopeful to recoup for their player. With PSR in mind, it would be wiser and more beneficial to sign Asensio this summer. If not, the Villans could lose them both.
Lucas Paqueta to West Ham makes little sense if Morgan Rogers remains
Villa have been adamant on keeping Morgan Rogers this summer despite interest from Tottenham and other European sides.
As a result, it would not make much sense to have Rogers and Paqueta in the same team. Both players occupy the same areas on the pitch, despite the Brazilian’s ability to play a little deeper.
Indeed, both like to carry the ball into the box and pick out one of their teammates while operating in and around the attacking third. There is every chance that Rogers is demoted to the bench if Paqueta arrives.
This would plummet his value and result in Villa getting less than the £100m they reportedly want in the event of a future sale.
Last season, Asensio and Rogers co-existed on the pitch together. As a result, Villa should stick with what they know will work instead of trying something new.
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