Will Aston Villa be busy in the final few days of the transfer window?
So far this summer, due to constraints relating to the Premier League's Profitability & Sustainability Rules, the Villans have made just one noteworthy signing, with Evann Guessand arriving from Nice for £26m.
However, following the sale of Jacob Ramsey to Newcastle for £39m, plus £4m in potential add-ons, there is optimism this will allow the Claret and Blue Army to spend before the transfer window slams shut.
So, could Aston Villa make a move to sign an "explosive" attacking midfielder from within the Premier League?
Aston Villa's search for an attacking midfielder
After arriving in January, Marco Asensio made quite the impression at Villa Park, scoring eight goals in 21 appearances, three of which came in the Champions League, averaging a goal every 139 minutes.
Marco Asensio celebrates for Aston Villa
Marco Asensio celebrates for Aston Villa
Unai Emery would reportedly love to be reunited with his compatriot on a more permanent basis, with claims made that an agreement on personal terms has already been reached. While it is yet to be seen if a similar agreement can be struck with PSG, he is completely out of Luis Enrique's plans.
Regardless of what occurs on that front, is there another target emerging who may prove to be an even better signing?
Aston Villa's Marco Asensio in action with Ipswich Town's Luke Woolfenden
Aston Villa's Marco Asensio in action with Ipswich Town's Luke Woolfenden
Well, according to Brazilian outlet Globo, Aston Villa have made contact with West Ham United over the possibility of signing Lucas Paquetá, with the Midlands side said to be planning a move for the playmaker.
They add that Tottenham and Everton are also interested, with the Hammers valuing their creator in chief at £50m.
Talks remain 'ongoing', and Aston Villa currently lead the race to sign him, so could Paquetá swap one claret and blue club for another?
Why Lucas Paquetá should excite Aston Villa supporters
Last month, Paquetá was cleared by the Football Association of all charges related to alleged spot-fixing allegations.
If found guilty, the Brazilian would likely have received a lifetime ban, and this prospect had been hanging over him for two years, scuppering his proposed £80m move to Manchester City back in the summer of 2023.
lucas-paqueta-west-ham-premier-league
Having now had his name cleared, it is widely expected that Paquetá would push for a move away from the sinking ship that is West Ham this month, so could a move to the Midlands be on the cards?
Speaking on Sky Sports following a 1-1 draw between Aston Villa and West Ham in January, Jamie Redknapp labelled the Brazilian "explosive", asserting that he possesses an immense amount of talent.
Redknapp adds that Paquetá has lacked consistency recently, with many putting this down to the looming allegations, and the table below documents his dip in form.
Paquetá's West Ham stats
Season
2025/26
2024/25
2023/24
2022/23
courtesy of Transfermarkt
As the table documents, Paquetá endured a miserable campaign last time round, as did West Ham as a team to be fair, having accumulated 27 goals and assists across the previous two campaigns.
Also, now an innocent man, he's started this season excellently, scoring two goals in three games, on target against Wolves in the EFL Cup on Tuesday, having scored this absolute rocket against Chelsea last Friday.
So why would he be a better signing than Asensio?
Well, prior to joining Aston Villa, the Spanish international had scored just seven goals and registered 11 assists in 47 appearances for PSG, this spread across 18 months.
Marco Asensio & Marcus Rashford for Aston Villa
Marco Asensio & Marcus Rashford for Aston Villa
Asensio has not been a consistent, high-level contributor since his Real Madrid days, scoring 12 goals in all competitions in 2022/23, suggesting he might just be a fading force.
Paquetá, on the other hand, could be an elite-level player at Villa, having continued to show his quality in an otherwise dismal West Ham side, so the Villans should go all in on the Brazilian, while confining Asensio's career in the Midlands to history.