Keith Wyness wants to ‘re-open’ talks over move that will transform Aston Villa and Newcastle
Aston Villa and Newcastle could break into Europe’s elite without running into any financial concerns.
That is according to ex-Everton, Aston Villa, and Aberdeen chief executive Keith Wyness, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, who believes he has found a solution around the Premier League’s incoming squad cost ratio [SCR] rules.
Aston Villa and Newcastle could be affected by the new SCR rules which will come into force in the Premier League from the beginning of next season.
Both clubs have been restricted in the transfer market due to current profit and sustainability rules [PSR], with players having to be sold in previous transfer windows to adhere to the regulations.
Keith Wyness solution is ‘no risk to football’
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 – is certain Aston Villa and Newcastle‘s owners would never let their clubs go bust with the money that they could spend.
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast, Wyness believes his solution around SCR could make the Premier League “more exciting.”
He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “The argument for SCR has always been that it’s all about the sustainability of football clubs, and the risk of football clubs going broke. This argument, to me, always fell down when you look at the wealth of PIF and you look at the wealth of the Aston Villa owners. How can you not say that they can afford to spend more money, and they’re not going to let the clubs go bust? They can afford it.
“But this is now a measurable way and a new product and a new system that could actually guarantee that and give it in black and white, you know, a bond that could be activated. So, you could have HMRC, for instance, could be covered by the bond. Transfer fees to other clubs could be covered by the bond, wages, everything else could be paid for in terms of the administration.
“If a club did get into serious problems, all those things could be covered by this bond. So there would be no risk therefore, to football, to the football family, and to the club itself. So that’s something that we’ve got to start looking at again and think reopen this discussion because it is wrong that you’ve got a league that has artificial rules in place that stop proper clubs with proper backing being able to have a go at trying to break into that top level.
“So that’s my, know, I’m fed up talking about things and not offering solutions. And so I’ve actually, as I say, done some hard work on this. And this is something that I think should be looked at. And I would urge the authorities once again, if they want to. I’m happy to chat with them and explain the workings, but this could be done. It’s been done in the travel industry.
“I think the travel agents all have to have a bond in place. And so there are ways to do it. And this would answer the top six by saying, well, it’s all about sustainability. Well, here’s a case where we can answer that problem and give everybody else a chance, if they wish to, to really have a crack at breaking into that top level.
“And I think it would make the league more exciting. And I think it’s great. So that’s one thing for this week that I’ll be looking at.”
Aston Villa continue to face SCR issues
Aston Villa are still facing issues complying with SCR in Europe, with clubs only permitted to spend 70 per cent of their revenue on squad costs.
Revenue at Aston Villa surpassed £350million last season, with turnover also increasing due to their success in the Champions League.
Whilst Unai Emery’s side are in the Europa League this campaign, they are on course for a top four Premier League finish and Champions League qualification for next season.