Despite the Premier League’s PSR deadlines approaching, Aston Villa have now reportedly opened talks to sign a former Championship midfielder in a deal worth £17m this summer.
Aston Villa closing in on PSR deadline
As things stand, Aston Villa have five days to ensure that they comply with the PSR rules on June 30. The Midlands club are already set to sell Philippe Coutinho to Vasco da Gama, but there remain question marks over whether that will be enough to keep them within the PSR guidelines. Of course, if it’s not, then Villa face a hectic few days.
To that end, the Villans still have a number of players who could be sacrificed. Reports have suggested in recent days that the likes of Lucas Digne and even Emiliano Martinez could be among those reluctantly shown the door in a last-ditch attempt to ease their off-pitch troubles.
Martinez’s departure would be particularly frustrating if it is Manchester United that take full advantage. Losing one of Unai Emery’s best players would be an undeniable blow and losing that same player to a Premier League rival would only add salt to that painful wound.
Football finance expert Kieran Maguire recently delivered his verdict on Villa’s PSR problems, telling Sky Sports earlier this month: “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.”
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Missing out on Champions League football on the final day of last season could see Aston Villa suffer a major setback if they do not sanction at least one more sale in the coming days. If reports are anything to go by, however, their PSR problems are not standing in the way of any attempt to welcome incomings this summer.
According to Calcio Mercato’s Santi Aouna, Aston Villa have now held talks to sign Gabriel Sara from Galatasaray and have also held separate talks over deals to sell both Digne and Martinez to the Turkish club this summer.
Although separate deals, Aston Villa and Galatasaray could work together to appease all parties involved. Those in the Midlands could get the sales they so desperately need while Galatasaray could receive part of the funding to make such deals happen through the sale of Sara to Villa Park.
The Turkish giants reportedly value their versatile midfielder at around €20m (£17m) in a deal that could finally see Sara receive his Premier League chance one year on from leaving Championship side Norwich City.
Described as “incredible” by U23 scout Antonio Mango, It was during his time at Norwich that Sara impressed the most – scoring 14 goals and creating another 13 in all competitions in his final season at the club.
