Aston Villa could agree Igor Thiago swap deal -‘it would be the right move’
Aston Villa’s PSR issues mean they will only be able to sign Igor Thiago if they can agree a swap deal with Brentford.
That is according to ex-Aston Villa, Everton, and Aberdeen chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, who states that Ollie Watkins could return to Brentford as part of a deal.
Thiago is a target for Aston Villa and Tottenham following his fine season for the Bees so far, with 11 goals scored in 14 appearances.
The Brazilian has been an instrumental part of Keith Andrews’ solid start to life as a Premier League manager, with Brentford currently sitting 13th and eight points above the bottom three.
Aston Villa need to work around PSR rules
Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – believes Aston Villa’s PSR problems will hinder their chances of signing Thiago.
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast, Wyness thinks that Watkins would be the only player Aston Villa could offer Brentford in any swap deal.
He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “Well, the one name I think that will fit into this deal is Ollie Watkins. I think if there was some type of swap situation there with cash, that’s how I think Villa would get through the PSR issues. And I think it would be the right move as well.
“And I think, you know, Ollie, having come from there initially, might make some sense to end up back at Brentford. So look, that’s an interesting one. But I think that’s how I could see it working with Villa in terms of the PSR issues.
“But otherwise I don’t see it happening for them at all in terms of cash. And I don’t know if it’s the right answer for Spurs either right now. I think they need something slightly different. But yes, I could see that player swap situation or player plus cash from Villa for that younger player. And I think that may work.”
Ollie Watkins shines in Aston Villa victory
Watkins scored twice in Aston Villa’s 4-3 win over Brighton to end the 29-year-olds 11-game goal drought for the club.
Aston Villa made few signings in the summer window, so their reliance on goals still lies heavily with Watkins, who is fighting to make England‘s World Cup squad.
Unai Emery could do with adding to his attacking options, with the loan signings of Harvey Elliott and Jadon Sancho having not worked out.