Aston Villa transfer chief makes 'magnet' claim after deadline day swoop

Asensio joined Marcus Rashford as the most high-profile arrival of the transfer window after agreeing to a loan move from Paris Saint-Germain.

The 29-year-old Spain international is a three-time Champions League winner and had been a long-time target for Unai Emery.

Villa previously explored a move for Asensio when he left Real Madrid for Paris in 2023 and Monchi, speaking to Spanish radio station Radioestaido Noche, believes convincing him to join now is a major statement of the club’s progress.

He explained: "Asensio was something Unai had wanted for a long time. Previously it was attempted and it couldn't be because he decided to go to PSG and since then we were keeping an eye on him.

"We are excited about his arrival and that the Aston Villa brand will be a magnet for important players, which is what we have tried to do since we arrived."

Monchi and the Villa’s director of football operations, Damian Vidagany, led the club’s transfer business though it is Emery who makes clear his requirements and has the final say on signings.

Asensio was one of five new arrivals in the window, though only three can be registered for the knockout stages of the Champions League.

Villa will face either Sporting Lisbon, Borussia Dortmund, Club Brugge or Atalanta in next month’s last-16, while Monchi hopes the reinforcements to the squad will help efforts to qualify for the competition again next season through the Premier League.

Emery’s men sit four points off fifth-placed Manchester City and Monchi said: "The excitement that has been generated (by the Champions League) is huge and we hope to be up to par in the next round." 

"The idea is to be back in the competition next year but it will be difficult because the fight is tough.”

The biggest deal of Villa’s window saw Jhon Duran leave for Al-Nassr in a move which could eventually be worth more than £70million.

Monchi, who has had to be mindful of profit and sustainability constraints, admitted the financial power of the Saudi Pro League dwarfs even that of the Premier League. 

"The economic potential of Arab football is not even available to the Premier League, it is an important rival because it attracts signings,” he said. 

“I think that the economic level is not yet comparable to the competitive level and for the moment it holds back some players."