Monchi says he thought ‘world class’ player would join Aston Villa

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Aston Villa are yet to see much success emerge from their dealings in the summer transfer market.

Evann Guessand is without a goal or assist in nine appearances following his £30m move from OGC Nice, while Jadon Sancho and Harvey Elliott are yet to impress as well.

Monchi has since stepped down from his role as President of Football Operations – with Roberto Olabe replacing him – although the Spaniard has now revealed just how close he came to bringing Marco Asensio back to Aston Villa before his exit in September.

Monchi says PSG were the main reason for Marco Asensio return collapsing

The Spain international enjoyed a productive loan spell at Villa Park in the second half of last season, scoring eight goals in 21 appearances.

Naturally, Aston Villa wanted to bring Asensio – who has been called a “world class” player – back to the Midlands, although it did not happen due to financial demands from PSG and the player himself becoming concerned over his future.

Monchi told Eldesmarque: “I thought he was going to end up at Villa Park, which was the goal. (The deal collapsed) mainly for financial reasons, because PSG was being tougher on us. In the end Marco was also worried, he was nervous. He saw that the transfer market was going on.

“He opted for Fenerbahce. It’s true that I thought, we all thought, that he could end up at Villa Park, because he had also had six very good months previously.”

Asensio ultimately sealed a £7.4m move to Fenerbahce on a deal running until July 2028 – where he has scored one goal in six appearances so far.

Marco Asensio deal collapsing was a blessing in disguise for Aston Villa

As talented as the Spaniard is, bringing him to Aston Villa on a permanent basis would have been a foolish move financially.

The Villans already spent 91% of their revenue on wages in 2024 – which is simply unsustainable.

Asensio has penned a deal worth £167,327-a-week at Fenerbahce, which is quite steep for a player who turns 30 in January and would have done little to ease the salary situation at Villa Park.

Signing the Mallorca academy graduate permanently would have been reminiscent of the £17m signing of Philippe Coutinho in May 2022 – a deal which the Villans were lured into after a dazzling loan spell from the Brazilian.

Some fans might be upset to hear just how close Aston Villa came to signing Asensio again, but it was for the greater good that Monchi missed out.