Defender gives his opinion on whether Aston Villa should pursue attacking star

But the defender acknowledges missing out on the Champions League may make it tough for the club to accomplish all their plans in the transfer window.

Boss Unai Emery is keen to sign Asensio on a permanent basis from Paris Saint-Germain following his loan spell during the second half of the season.

The 29-year-old scored eight goals and though he failed to find the net in any of his last 11 appearances, as Villa fell agonisingly short of a top-five finish, he remains among their top attacking targets. 

Torres is in no doubt about the extra quality his fellow Spain international can bring to the squad.

Asked about Asensio potentially returning to Villa during an interview with Spanish newspaper, AS, he replied: “I hope it can be achieved. 

“I know Marco has been comfortable and likes the way Unai Emery works and the confidence he's given him, but the club will have to talk to PSG and see how they can keep a player like that because the leap in quality with him is significant.”

Any fee for Asensio would likely be in the modest range, with some reports suggesting PSG would be willing to deal at around £15million.

But accommodating the three-time Champions League winner’s current salary, thought to be more than £200,000-a-week, would be far trickier.

Villa are under pressure to reduce their wage bill after exceeding Uefa’s cost control limits this season, a task which has been made even more acute by missing out on the Champions League.

Though Villa will play in the Europa League next season, the potential riches on offer amount to just a quarter of those available in the elite competition.

The impact on the bottom line is not lost on Torres, who opened up about the “huge disappointment” of falling short of the top-five on the final day.

Villa, who had won eight out of nine Premier League matches to stay in the Champions League race, needed only a draw to leapfrog rivals Newcastle after they were beaten at home by Everton.

Instead, they were beaten 2-0 at Manchester United, albeit in controversial circumstances when Morgan Rogers had what appeared to be a perfectly good goal ruled out.

Torres said: “It was a huge disappointment. The season has been good, as it's the second-highest in the club's history after last year. 

“But the Champions League icing we couldn't put on the cake leaves a bittersweet taste. A draw at Old Trafford would have been enough, but it slipped away.

“Without a doubt, being in the Europa League isn't the same as being in the Champions League, and it could be difficult for the club to maintain the same plan. 

“Monchi, Damián Vidagany and Unai have to make adjustments to put together a competitive starting eleven and bench.”