Aston Villa could look to sign a 36-time international this summer
Aston Villa are believed to be weighing up a bold move to sign a former Champions League winner to replace Marco Asensio in the summer window.
The Villans signed Asensio on loan from French champions Paris Saint-Germain in the January transfer window and experienced an instant upturn in fortunes with the talented Spaniard in their side as he chipped in with eight goals and one assist in 21 appearances across all competitions.
However, Villa did not include an option to buy clause in that original loan agreement, which casts doubt over whether the club will move for the ex-Real Madrid man with him turning 30 in January.
Villa have by no means ruled out a move for Asensio but it’s widely reported that they are also weighing up other potential options in that position, including an intriguing move for Manchester United midfielder Mason Mount.
Aston Villa express interest in Mason Mount
Football Insider claim Aston Villa could emerge as strong candidates to sign Mason Mount from Manchester United if he’s allowed to leave this summer.
Mount has had huge challenges with injuries since arriving at Old Trafford from Chelsea for a reported £58m two seasons ago. The 36-time England international hasn’t played for the Three Lions since making the move to Old Trafford and has been limited to just 46 appearances across all competitions while registering just four goals and one assist.
It’s a far cry from the form he produced at Chelsea, particularly when he was at the peak of his powers between 2020 and 2022 as the Blues won the Champions League and Club World Cup with Mount managing to score 22 goals and register 25 assists in 107 matches across two seasons.
“I’m the first one to say I need consistent game time,” said the former Chelsea ace when speaking to Man United’s official website towards the end of the season
“From now until the end of the season, I want to be available for every single game. Since I’ve been here, I’ve had the injuries, the setbacks, but I always stay positive...and I carried on going.”
Mount showed glimpses of his qualities with a notable brace against Athletic Bilbao in the Europa League semi-final but those moments on the whole were few and far between.
Why Aston Villa are looking to sign Mason Mount
Aston Villa are in the market for a talented central attacking midfielder that can offer goals and creativity to the team and they are still thought to hold 26-year-old Mount in high regard based on his displays at Chelsea.
Mick Brown, a former Red Devils scout, who also had a spell as an Aston Villa scout, explained via Football Insider: “United have tried to establish whether there is a market for Mason Mount. Aston Villa have been spoken about and I think they could make a move.
“People remember Mason Mount at his best, that what Villa want to help him get back to and it looks like he’s back to full fitness now.
“His move to Man United hasn’t been positive by any means, but he’s still a talented player. Villa want to strengthen because they’ve lost Rashford and Asensio, so Mount is on their list.
“Unai Emery is a fan of his and feels he could help him to rediscover his Chelsea form. It would be an excellent move for Mount as well, because Villa are a top club, they’ve got top facilities and they’ll be playing in Europe.“
United have already agreed to sign Matheus Cunha from Wolves to play in one of the No.10 positions while it’s suspected that Bryan Mbeumo could soon follow. With Joshua Zirkzee still on the books and club captain Bruno Fernandes, it’s not yet clear whether there’s a future for Mount, who has struggled to find his feet at Old Trafford. It could lead to Villa potentially being able to sign the midfielder on a cut-price fee and potentially allowing them to get their hands on a real game-changer in the middle of the park.
Mount at the peak of his powers was twice named Chelsea’s Player of the Season. While he was once described by former Blues boss and current England manager Thomas Tuchel as being the ‘the full package’, in an interview he said when describing Mount: “He has the full package, mentally, in terms of talent and physically and the most important part is his character, he has his feet on the ground and he’s a nice guy.”
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