Exclusive: Rogers, Watkins ‘cut-price’ sale update as PSR deadline looms for Villa
Morgan Rogers and Ollie Watkins have already been touted as two players who could leave Aston Villa as the Premier League’s PSR deadline approaches.
Football finance expert Dan Plumley gave his verdict to Football Insider on the future of the two stars as the Premier League’s financial year-end of 30 June approaches.
The Midlands club are searching for solutions to the financial issues that put Villa at risk of failing the league’s profit and sustainability rules (PSR).
The Villains have made losses of £205.8million [The Athletic] between 2022 and 2024, with the Premier League allowing a maximum of £105m in losses in a three-year period.
Villa are exploring the possibility of selling their women’s team, either to themselves or outside investors [The Athletic], but will need a similar boost to Alexis Ohanian’s £20m investment [BBC Sport] in Chelsea‘s women’s side to raise the value of the team.
Should their women’s team fail to yield the financial boost that is required, player sales will be the next best option to avoid a sanction.
Sources told Football Insider on 25 June that Villa are looking to complete £30m worth of player sales before 30 June.
Both Watkins and Rogers have been heavily linked with exits from Villa Park, with the club in need of a quick cash boost.
Aston Villa will ‘fight hard’ to keep Ollie Watkins, Morgan Rogers
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, finance expert Plumley explained that whilst clubs may look to take advantage of Villa’s financial situation, the club would “fight hard” to keep Watkins and Rogers.
The duo are vital pieces of Unai Emery‘s side, and the senior lecturer from Sheffield Hallam University thinks the club are more likely to sell “one or two of the fringe players” rather than a star first-teamer, despite their financial pressures.
Plumley said: “I think you could get to a scenario where if clubs are desperate to buy those players, you could look to put a bid in with that in the back of your mind.
“I still think even with a question mark over Villa and where they’re at with PSR, it’s unlikely that they will be desperate to sell a Watkins or a Rogers as an example.
“I think if they are going to move players on, it’s probably going to be one or two of the fringe players on the squad.
“I think Villa would fight hard against that is what I’m saying.
“And I think if a club’s going to look to do that, I could understand it to a degree, but I don’t see Villa trying to sell a Watkins or a Rogers quickly in the next few days for a cut-price fee.
“I think those are two players in particular that they’ll want to keep, and if someone’s going to buy those players, the premium’s going to be high.”
Aston Villa forced to change profile of potential signings
Having come so close to reaching the Champions League in back-to-back seasons, failure to qualify on the final day of the season has left the club in a dire financial situation.
Even if the club do manage to pass PSR, there will still be the need to act cautiously in the summer window, and that will take the form of targeting more affordable options.
Villa are targeting a move for Rangers star Nico Raskin, and although former CEO Keith Wyness told Football Insider he does not think the midfielder is a “Villa type player”, that definition may have to change quickly thanks to PSR.