Aston Villa Exclusive: ‘Big departure’ on the cards after UEFA fine
Aston Villa will be forced to sell this summer as further UEFA and Premier League sanctions loom.
That is the view of football finance expert Dan Plumley, who told Football Insider exclusively that if a big bid came in for one of their stars, the Villains’ financial position would make it hard to turn down.
Villa sold their women’s team to V Sports, the parent company that owns the club, in a bid to avoid failing the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules (PSR).
The move is one that was pioneered by Chelsea as a workaround to the rules, as it allows the clubs to essentially sell a major and valuable asset to themselves, boosting their profits from an accounting perspective.
However, UEFA do not allow profit from such sales to be registered on accounts for their own financial rules, and as a consequence, both the Blues and Villa were handed large fines and a strict set of restrictions to work towards.
Should the clubs fail to rein in their spending and losses, UEFA will bar them from entering European competition.
‘Big departure’ on the cards for Aston Villa
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, finance expert Plumley explained that as a consequence of the fines and potential further sanctions, departures were necessary for Villa this summer.
And when asked whether that would be first-team players or fringe squad members, the senior lecturer from Sheffield Hallam University explained that both were on the cards, but if a sizeable offer arrived for one of their bigger-name players, the Villains may find it hard to say no.
Plumley said: “I think that all depends on the market itself, because you’ve got to have a buyer for those players as well.
“If it is a big, big player, you’ve got to make sure that the market’s there to be able to sell that player as well.
“I think they could look to do that both ways, to be honest. Both ways are still a possibility and they have got time to a degree because they know exactly where they’re aiming at.
“So they’ll be able to run those numbers. I wouldn’t rule out a big departure because I think the situation they’re in, if a bid comes in, it might be too good to turn down, given where they’re currently are.
“They’ve still got that firm sort of amber flag against them with PSR and obviously we know what’s happening with UEFA.
“I guess it’s not outside the realms of possibility that you would see a big player leave this summer, which would be a blow, of course, but again, it’s just kind of the way the market is at the minute that sometimes you have to lose some of those best players.”
Chelsea eye Morgan Rogers amid financial turmoil at Villa Park
Amid the financial chaos that both clubs find themselves wrapped up in, Chelsea may consider making a move for Morgan Rogers if Villa attempt to sign Nicolas Jackson.
The England international’s sale is unlikely, but given his status and quality, it is not hard to see the 22-year-old fetching a fee above the £100million mark.
Should the Midlands club refuse efforts to sign Rogers, Ollie Watkins is another high-profile Villa player linked with an exit.
Man United are thought to be interested in the former Brentford man, but are yet to complete their move for Bryan Mbeumo, which will likely be the first priority for the Red Devils.