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.

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.

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.

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.

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.