Aston Villa’s President of Football Operations, Monchi, has discussed a wide range of topics, including the future of Emiliano Martinez.
The 56-year-old is undoubtedly living through a hectic and critical period now as he oversees and plans how we’ll navigate the summer transfer window, with PSR and SCR concerns at the forefront of everyone’s mind ahead of June 30.
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It’s widely accepted that Villa must sell first to balance our books and raise funds to spend on our own incomings, but it’s on Monchi and his staff to ensure that we get the best possible deals for our players to help maintain the level of competitiveness that we’ve shown on the pitch over the past two-and-a-half years under Unai Emery.
The Spaniard conceded that he is working tirelessly now to put the pieces together and get the balance right in the transfer market, while also commenting on a number of players who face an uncertain future as things stand.
While he seemingly hinted that Marcus Rashford’s time at the club may not have ended just yet, he insisted that he wants Martinez to remain at Villa despite intense speculation suggesting he could be on his way out. Further, with Marco Asensio’s loan spell coming to an end, it remains to be seen if we swoop for the Spanish playmaker in a permanent switch this summer.
“The Premier League ended nine days ago, and we haven’t stopped. There’s no time to rest; a sporting director’s vacation is in September,” he told Canal Sur Radio. “We still haven’t come to terms with what happened at Old Trafford.
“Emery has been able to bring out the best in Rashford, and Unai is the number one for that. He’s a player with top-notch, elite ability. We haven’t lost hope, he has a significant connection with the club and Unai.
“The story between Dibu and Aston Villa must continue, that’s my wish. He’s happy and content, but I’m not in his head.
“Asensio hasn’t lost his talent; he’s given us a lot, and he’s in our best interest.
“I’m focused on the present, and my present today is Aston Villa so Unai can have a competitive team.
“Unai Emery’s connection with Aston Villa runs deep. I see him as very involved, excited, and eager. He’s a work-obsessed person.”
Given our lack of Champions League football next season, it’s difficult to see Rashford opting to re-join us, albeit he looked rejuvenated and thrived under Emery in the second half of last season after a torrid time at Manchester United prior.
Much will depend on the other offers he has, but time will tell if Villa could swoop for him again to bolster our attacking options.
As for Martinez, although it’s been reported that no formal interest has been shown in the Argentine shot-stopper, his sale could be a potential solution for both our PSR and SCR concerns given the transfer fee he could command along with being one of the highest earners at the club.
Ideally, we’d keep one of the most influential, decisive and impactful players in the squad, but financial pressures will likely dictate the outcome of that particular situation.
Villa must also decide on whether or not to bring Asensio back. The 29-year-old made an impressive start after arriving on loan from Paris Saint-Germain in January, but a quiet end to the season raised question marks over whether or not he would be a sensible permanent signing.
Our transfer budget will likely influence a lot of decisions this summer, and so it will be interesting to see if we return for him, or look elsewhere for reinforcements in the attacking third.
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