Stefan Borson

Wed 14 May 2025 7:00, UK

Aston Villa and Newcastle United have both faced profit and sustainability (PSR) issues in recent years after challenging at the top of the Premier League.

Villa currently sit sixth in the table, while Newcastle have moved up to third following their strong run of form, with five Champions League places on offer this season.

The Premier League duo were both forced to sell players before last year’s accounting deadline to avoid a spending breach.

Under the PSR rules, top-flight clubs are only permitted to lose £105million over a rolling three-year period.

Unai Emery’s side are believed to be facing PSR issues again this season, while Eddie Howe revealed Newcastle could take advantage of some of their rivals’ financial issues this summer.

Finance expert Stefan Borson exclusively told Football Insider Newcastle could buy a Villa player as they look to strengthen their squad ahead of next season.

Villa are also believed to be exploring selling stakes in their women’s team to help them comply with the spending rules. 

Aston Villa relaxed about PSR situation

Borson insisted Villa appear to be relaxed about their PSR situation heading into the summer window.

He told Football Insider: “It looks like the women’s team is the best indicator that they are thinking that they’re going to be short on PSR.

“We know that they’re quite happy to take that risk in June because they took it last year. Unlike Newcastle, they didn’t really seem that fazed by it.

“They seemed quite relaxed that they needed to do that last year and understood that it was a kind of cost of their ambitious plan. I think they’re more relaxed than perhaps Newcastle were about having that again.

“I think Newcastle have shown that they’re not interested in scrambling around in June again. They have acted accordingly to sort everything out well in advance of June so that they can have a quiet June.

“I think Newcastle are talking about whether they can be a beneficiary of other people’s distress. Maybe what happens is that we see a deal between Villa and Newcastle, where Newcastle are in a position to buy a player.

“Of course, when you’re buying from a PSR perspective, all of the cost is in the future years because it’s amortisation and wage costs.

“So, if you buy a player on 30 June, it doesn’t affect your PSR calculation for the year just gone at all. It’s all forward-looking. It’s different if you sell because if you sell, you can crystallise profits within that PSR year before 30 June. 

“But if you’re buying, all of the cost comes in the future years, so that’s what you might see happening.” 

Aston Villa could agree Ollie Watkins deal after Arsenal swoop

Villa could be ready to sell Ollie Watkins in the summer transfer window despite him scoring the winning goal against Bournemouth on Saturday (10 May).

Football Insider revealed on 2 May Arsenal are planning to reignite their bid to sign Watkins once the window reopens. 

Villa knocked back a £50million offer from the London giants for the 29-year-old in January after he’s been a key player for the club over the past five years.

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