As Aston Villa look to go again in pursuit of Champions League qualification next season, those in the Midlands are now reportedly readying an offer to sign an attacking star that his club won't be able to refuse.
Monchi: Martinez and Aston Villa "must continue"
Amid rumours that Emiliano Martinez is set to depart Aston Villa this summer following what looked like an emotional farewell to the home fans towards the end of the season, the club's sporting director has had his say.
Speaking to Canal Sur Radio, Monchi spoke about Martinez's potential goodbye, Rashford's resurgence and how Marco Asensio also rediscovered his talent during his loan spell at Villa Park.
Aston Villa winger Marco Asensio Related
[Aston Villa pushing to sign "world-class" £6m-a-year star who Emery loves](https://www.footballfancast.com/aston-villa-pushing-to-sign-marco-asensio-permanently-this-summer/ "Aston Villa pushing to sign "world-class" £6m-a-year star who Emery loves")
Talks have been held over the move.
The Villa chief said: "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. 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.
monchi-aston-villa-premier-league
Aston Villa's president of football operations, Monchi.
“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.”
It's not just potential outgoings that Monchi is focusing on, however, with reports now suggesting that Aston Villa have already opened talks to sign a talented winger who could follow in Rashford's path in the Midlands.
Aston Villa in talks to sign Geny Catamo
According to O Jogo, as relayed by Sport Witness, Aston Villa have now opened talks to sign Geny Catamo and are ready to offer Sporting Club an irresistible deal to secure the winger's signature this summer.
Earlier reports suggested that the Villans are deliberating over paying €30m (£25m) to sign their target, but given that Catamo reportedly has a release clause worth as much as €60m (£50m), they may have to dig deeper into their finances to get a deal done in the coming months.
League stats 24/24 (via FBref) Geny Catamo Marcus Rashford
Minutes 1,911 1,422
Goals 5 6
Assists 2 3
Key Passes 28 28
A player who kept up with Rashford even as his form improved at Aston Villa, Catamo is only just getting started. At just 24 years old, the Sporting winger is about to enter the peak of his powers, making this summer the perfect time for those in the Midlands to make their move for the 33-cap Mozambique man.
Whether they're in a position to meet their target's £50m release clause without Champions League football is the big question, however. Villa's PSR concerns are no secret these days and they could yet play a part in pursuit of Catamo this summer.