Yet to start their summer business, Aston Villa are now reportedly preparing an official approach to sign a midfield target worth £25m as Monchi intensifies his pursuit.
Kieran Maguire: Aston Villa “most concerned” about PSR
Like Newcastle United in the last two windows, Aston Villa’s spending is seemingly catching up to them even as they continue to enjoy impressive success on the pitch. And that could see them forced into a quiet summer window unless they sell at least one key player.
Football finance expert Kieran Maguire had his say on the Villans’ PSR concerns, recently saying on Sky Sports: “I think of the 20 Premier League clubs, Villa are the ones who we’re most concerned about.
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“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.”
One sale that could be on the cards as a result of their concerns this summer is Emiliano Martinez. The goalkeeper has already been linked with moves to Atletico Madrid and, more concerningly, Manchester United. But as frustrating as his departure to join the latter would be, it would at least open the door for Villa to secure incomings of their own this summer.
Aston Villa preparing Raskin approach
According to TeamTalk, Monchi is now preparing an approach to sign Nicolas Raskin from Rangers with Aston Villa and their sporting director now set to intensify their pursuit of the talented midfielder.
As Rangers struggled for much of last season, Raskin was often among the few standouts and has since made an impressive start to life in the Belgium squad. Now, for just £25m, he could be on his way to the Premier League this summer.
In regards to Aston Villa’s financial problems, Raskin would also be a wise move given that he’s reportedly available for such a low fee this summer. What’s more, at just 24 years old, the Belgian is destined for bigger and better things which means that the £25m fee could rapidly turn into the ultimate bargain for all involved in the Midlands.
All signs point towards an excellent signing, but Aston Villa must first convince Rangers to sell one of their best players as they enter a new era under Russell Martin in Scotland.
