Arsenal missed out on PSG star during January window after transfer gamble backfired

Arsenal had an opportunity to sign Marco Asensio on loan in the January transfer window, but the 29-year-old ultimately ended up signing for Aston Villa instead

Mikel Arteta could have been fielding a Paris Saint Germain player against his own club if the January transfer window had gone differently. PSG forward Marco Asensio joined Aston Villa on loan in a beat-the-deadline move and has been 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 to the Premier League.

The Prem rules prevent a loan player playing against his parent club for fear of a breach of integrity and a moral code. Spain international Asensio, formerly of Real Madrid, came on as a substitute in both games but could not stop his current club going out.

But Asensio could easily have been playing for Arsenal in the semi final rather than Villa if things had worked out differently.

Arsenal boss Arteta had Asensio on his radar throughout January after being made aware of the versatile forward’s potential availability because he was not getting game time at PSG and wanted minutes to get back to his best.

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The Gunners remained interested and Asensio also held off to weigh up his options before finally deciding on Villa who made strong and appealing overtures with boss Unai Emery playing a key role.

Arsenal waited and held off because they were also interested in Villa striker Ollie Watkins as they looked to bolster their squad.

Arsenal say they were offered Watkins in January because Villa were keen to balance the books and offload a striker but it was Jhon Duran who eventually went to the Saudi Pro League.

Arteta grew increasingly interested in Watkins and is a fan of the player, even though that deal is unlikely to be resurrected this summer.

Arsenal now have the likes of Viktor Gyokeres and Benjamin Sesko in their sights and they arguably put all their eggs in the Watkins basket in January – and then missed out on other targets.

Arteta is also a big admirer of Asensio and January was not the first time that Arsenal have looked at him and also been sounded out on his potential availability.

But they waited too long on Asensio – and ultimately missed out which arguably damaged their title hopes because they were without firepower as Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus were both out injured.

It has been reported that Villa could get Asensio for as little as £13m in the summer and his class and performances have been a highlight for Emery’s men in the past few months.

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