Arsenal had the opportunity to sign Marco Asensio on loan in the January transfer window, but the 29-year-old eventually signed for Aston Villa instead
Mikel Arteta could have played a Paris Saint Germain player against his own club if the transfer star of January had gone differently. PSG Vooruit Marco Asensio joined Aston Villa on loan in a Beat-the-Deadline movement and is a big hit in the Midlands.
Asensio, 29, was able to play for Villa in the Champions League Quarter Final against his parent club because the UEFA rules are different from the Premier League.
The prem rules prevent a loan player from playing against his parent club for fear of an infringement of integrity and a moral code. Spain International Asensio, formerly from Real Madrid, appeared as a replacement in both games, but could not stop his current club.
But Asensio could easily have played for Arsenal in the semi -final instead of Villa if things would have worked differently.
Arsenal -Baas Arteta had Asensio on his radar in January after he was informed of the potential availability of the versatile attacker because he did not get a playing time at PSG and wanted minutes to return to his best.
The Gunners remained interested and Asensio also stopped to weigh his options before they finally decide on Villa who made strong and attractive overtures with Boss Unai Emery who played a key role.
Arsenal waited and lasted because they were also interested in Villa striker Ollie Watkins while watching their team.
Arsenal says they offered Watkins in January because Villa wanted to balance the books and discharged a striker, but it was Jhon Duran who eventually went to the Saudi Pro League.
Arteta was increasingly interested in Watkins and is a fan of the player, although it is unlikely that that deal will be generated this summer.
Arsenal now has people like Viktor Gyokees and Benjamin Sesko in their sights and they have demonstrably put all their eggs in the Watkins basket in January – and then missed on other goals.
Arteta is also a great admirer of Asensio and January was not the first time that Arsenal has viewed him and also sounded his potential availability.
But they waited too long for Asensio – and eventually missed their title loops because they were without firepower because Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus were both injured.
It has been reported that Villa Asensio could get for only £ 13 million in the summer and its class and its class and versions have been a highlight for Emery's men in recent months.