It took Aston Villa a long time to finally kick into gear on the transfer front, but they're now starting to make serious moves.
Last weekend, Unai Emery welcomed the arrival of Evan Guessand in a potential £30 million deal from Nice - their first major signing of the window - but NSWE are not done there.
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Evann Guessand
In what is expected to be a hectic final two weeks of the summer window for the club's president of footballing operations, Monchi, it is believed the Spaniard is eyeing a host of other late incomings.
Departures are fully expected too, with Leon Bailey left out of Saturday's Premier League opener against Newcastle United amid his talks to join Roma - which are seriously progressing.
To combat losing the likes of Bailey, Villa are believed to be firm contenders to sign Chelsea forward Nicolas Jackson, who Enzo Maresca confirmed has a chance to leave Stamford Bridge before the transfer deadline on September 1.
“He is training with us, but he is not going to be involved,” said Maresca during a pre-match press conference on Friday.
“You know the situation already. The window is open, he can leave and we (will) see.”
Villa are among the clubs to be offered Jackson, a player who Emery knows well from their time together at Villarreal, but it remains to be seen whether they'll opt to meet Chelsea's lofty price tag or could even agree a loan with an obligation to buy (talkSPORT).
Amid their links to the Senegalese, it is also reliably reported that PSG attacker Marco Asensio could make a return to the Midlands.
The former Real Madrid star made a real impact on loan at Villa from the European champions over the second half of 2024/2025, scoring a brace against Chelsea and notching three Champions League goals over two legs against Club Brugge.
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With Jacob Ramsey leaving for Newcastle United, Villa have begun negotiations to re-sign Asensio, with personal terms on a three-year contract already agreed (Sky Switzerland).
Aston Villa in 'advancing talks' to re-sign Marco Asensio in cut-price deal
Now, according to Football Insider and journalist Wayne Veysey, those discussions are progressing well.
Marco Asensio celebrates for Aston Villa
Marco Asensio celebrates for Aston Villa
Villa are in 'advancing talks' with all relevant parties over a deal for Asensio, with Emery a 'big fan' and personally keen to bring the Spaniard back on an indefinite basis.
PSG are also open to the possibility of green-lighting this potential deal for a 'cut-price' fee, considering the 29-year-old has just one year left on his £120,000-per-week contract, which comes as a major boost for Villa in terms of avoiding the ever-swinging PSR axe they've had serious trouble with this year.
Earlier this summer, NSWE actually pulled the plug on a move for Asensio over costs, according to Veysey, but it appears they've pulled a U-turn and are now working on an agreement.
Emery praised Asensio during their spell together last term, and after losing Ramsey, the tactician could get a major boost in the form of his comeback.