Despite their PSR concerns, Aston Villa have now reportedly emerged as shock contenders to sign one of the best strikers that European football has to offer this summer.
It’s a tough summer ahead for Aston Villa. After missing out on Champions League qualification last season, they can no longer escape their PSR problems and may need to sell at least one key man in the coming months. It’s a problem that forced Newcastle United into quiet transfer windows in recent years and one that the Villans must carefully navigate.
Those concerns have already sparked a number of exit rumours too, with Emiliano Martinez among those rumours. The World Cup-winning goalkeeper appeared to be emotional on the final home game of last season and is now reportedly one of the players that could be heading for the exit door.
The Argentine’s departure would be a frustrating blow no matter what, but reports are now suggesting that he’s waiting for Manchester United in what would add salt to Aston Villa’s wounds.
Meanwhile, veteran defender Lucas Digne has also been the subject of interest. According to Fabrizio Romano, if Atletico Madrid fail to sign Andy Robertson from Liverpool, then they will turn towards the Aston Villa left-back.
Whilst those sales would hand Villa a major boost on the PSR front, they could also pave the way for fresh faces to arrive in the opposite direction. And even as they keep one eye on their profit and sustainability, those at Villa Park may yet cause the biggest shock of the transfer window.
Aston Villa emerge as shock contenders to sign Gyokeres
According to GiveMeSport, Aston Villa are now in the conversation to sign Viktor Gyokeres this summer after hiring scout Chris Badlan, who knows the Swede well after initially signing him whilst at Coventry City.
The deal won’t come cheap, however. Arsenal have already reportedly offered as much as £55m and failed to secure a deal, whilst Gyokeres’ release clause stands at a hefty £85m this summer. Whether Aston Villa can afford to splash out such a fee in the coming months will be the big question as they look to upset the odds and secure one of the best strikers in the world.
One way or another, Gyokeres seems destined for the exit door at Sporting Club after publicly falling out with the club and refusing a meeting to clear the air. The clinical striker posted on social media: “There is a lot talks at the moment, most of it is false. I will speak when the time is right.”
Dubbed “clinical” by analyst Ben Mattinson in recent years, Gyokeres scored a staggering 54 goals last season. The fact is, whether it’s Villa, Arsenal or another club, the Swede would be a transformative signing.
