Aston Villa told to sign Morgan Rogers’ pal after £21m transfer development
Marco Asensio was strongly linked with an Aston Villa return over the summer.
Asensio signed for Villa on loan last January and had a telling impact across the second half of the season under Unai Emery.
The Spaniard formed an electric partnership with Marcus Rashford after his move from Manchester United, but couldn’t inspire the Villans to a top-five finish.
Financial issues ensued at Villa Park, and Asensio went on to join Fenerbahce in the summer as the claret and blue outfit missed out on the 29-year-old
Questions have now been raised over Asensio and his B6 return as the January transfer window rumbles on in the Midlands.
Aston Villa should have signed Marco Asensio permanently
Villa were interested in a permanent deal for Asensio, but with the PSR troubles on the table, Emery and Co. avoided his wages.
He went on to move to Spain and link up with Jose Mourinho before the ex-Chelsea boss was sacked and replaced by Domenico Tedesco.
The versatile attacker has gone on to contribute to 13 Super Lig goals already, all while the Villans continue their search for a new attacking midfielder.
Thiago Almada has emerged as a target, with a £21million move mooted for the Atletico Madrid man.
Former Villa scout Bryan King has been left confused by links to the Argentina international, especially after Asensio was snubbed in the summer.
Speaking exclusively to Villa News, King said: “They’ve got a few of those types of players already. There’s Rogers, McGinn and Tielemans.
“If Almada can’t get into the Atletico Madrid team, will he get into Villa’s?
“I look at these things and query why Villa never brought Asensio back.
“He’s a player I certainly would have brought back in because he seemed to have a good relationship with Rogers and Watkins.
“What’s the point of then bringing Almada in, because he’s not going to play regularly for Villa.”
Asensio proving Aston Villa wrong at Fenerbahce
Villa look set to sign Conor Gallagher on loan from Atleti in an effort to fill a hole in an attacking midfield role for the second half of the season.
A deal for the England international may be exciting, but it raises further questions over why Asensio wasn’t given the chance to shine across a full season.
He looks to have found himself in a division better than his own high standards after an elite start to life in Turkyie.
- Eight goals and one assist in 21 games for Aston Villa
- 13 goal involvements in the Super Lig
- 12 starts and 13 appearances for The Yellow Canaries
- Goal or assist every 77 minutes for Fenerbahce
Having scored eight goals and picked up five assists, there is bound to be eyes on him from elsewhere in Europe in the coming weeks and months.
The quality of the Spaniard was never doubted, but Villa may now regret not moving for the ex-Real Madrid man in the summer.
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