With time running out to ease their PSR fears, Aston Villa could have no choice but to sell a player that Unai Emery loves amid reported interest from Atletico Madrid this summer.
Aston Villa must sell players this summer
Despite their success in recent years and rise into becoming a top six side, Aston Villa must sell players to comply with PSR rules this summer. Football finance expert Kieran Maguire explained their situation on Sky Sports, saying: “I think of the 20 Premier League clubs, Villa are the ones who we’re most concerned about.
“Last season, when they did qualify for the Champions League, for every £100 of revenue that Aston Villa brought in, they spent £91 on wages. Those players will have had contract step-ups for qualifying for the Champions League.
“And remember, Villa have done very well in that competition. So that will be a plus. And they have sold some players as well, in both the last summer market and the January one. But I think there is still a perception that Villa will have to box clever.
“And of all of the clubs under pressure to sell players by June 30, I guess they’re the ones who are the club that gives the most attention because their spending in the last couple of years before getting into Europe was so extensive.”
It’s, therefore, likely to be a frustrating summer for those in the Midlands. Already, Emiliano Martinez has found himself among the headlines, and he’s one player who could make way to help Villa on the PSR front.
Meanwhile, Morgan Rogers is not short on admirers, although he is someone that Villa want to keep hold of in the coming months. Whichever route the Villans go down, they must approach their PSR problems with caution – avoiding a sanction at all costs – and that could yet see them sell one particular defender.
Atletico Madrid eyeing Lucas Digne move
As reported by Paul Joyce and relayed by Fabrizio Romano, Atletico Madrid are now looking at a move to sign Lucas Digne in the event that they fail to sign Andy Robertson from Liverpool this summer.
Whilst Digne’s departure would be a frustrating one, he is the type of player that Aston Villa should be looking to move on if they are to comply with PSR rules this summer.
At 31 years old, the £120,000-a-week defender will be past the peak of his powers sooner rather than later and as Ian Maatsen looks to break into Villa’s best side, this summer could be the best time for all parties to go their separate ways.
Whether Emery agrees will be the question, however. The Spaniard has never hidden his admiration for his left-back – going as far as to describe Digne as “amazing” last year.
