Exclusive: Aston Villa have 12 days to complete big-name sale
Aston Villa Racing Against Time to Make Key Sale Before PSR Deadline
Aston Villa are under increasing pressure to sell a key player within the next 12 days to meet the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR), sources have told Football Insider. Club officials are working tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure compliance before the looming deadline of June 30.
Monchi, the club’s President of Football Operations, is leading the charge in the search for a high-profile departure that would generate enough revenue to balance the books and prevent a breach of financial regulations. Should they fail to offload a valuable asset by the cut-off date, Villa could face severe consequences, including possible sanctions such as fines or a deduction of league points.
Among the players being considered for a potential sale are first-team regulars Emiliano Martinez, Youri Tielemans, and Amadou Onana. Each of these players could command a significant transfer fee that would aid the club in aligning with the strict PSR requirements.
Martinez, Villa’s Argentine goalkeeper and a fan favorite at Villa Park, is currently viewed as the most likely candidate to leave. His name has been at the center of recent transfer rumors, and interest from major clubs continues to grow. Notably, former Villa Park chief scout Mick Brown revealed to Football Insider that Manchester United are set to intensify their pursuit of Martinez, who could be seen as a long-term successor in goal at Old Trafford.
Since arriving from Arsenal in 2020 for a fee of £20 million, Martinez has been a key figure at Aston Villa, helping stabilize the defense and contributing to the club’s resurgence. His current contract runs through 2029, which puts the club in a strong position to command a premium fee should they choose to sell.
Villa’s urgency stems from persistent financial challenges under the PSR framework. Premier League clubs are only allowed to accumulate a maximum loss of £105 million over a rolling three-year period. Although Villa reported record-breaking revenues in the 2023-24 season—rising from £217.7 million to £275.7 million—the club still posted a loss of £85.4 million. While that marks an improvement from the previous year’s £119.6 million deficit, it still places Villa uncomfortably close to the allowable limit.
To navigate similar issues last year, the club completed several player exits just before the June 30 accounting deadline. Notable among those were Douglas Luiz, Tim Iroegbunam, and Omari Kellyman—all of whom were sold to help meet PSR requirements.
Financial expert Stefan Borson has emphasized that despite Villa’s impressive sixth-place Premier League finish and qualification for European football, the club remains at risk of non-compliance. Another sale is deemed necessary this summer to stay within the league’s financial parameters.
Meanwhile, Villa are also making moves to retain key emerging talent. Despite interest from Arsenal, the club is reportedly planning to reject any incoming offers for 22-year-old Morgan Rogers. The forward, who joined from Middlesbrough in January 2024 for £15 million, has quickly become an integral part of Unai Emery’s plans. His remarkable first half-season with Villa included 14 goals and 15 assists across 54 appearances during the 2024-25 campaign.
Villa are said to be confident that Rogers will remain at the club for the foreseeable future, viewing him as a cornerstone for the team’s long-term strategy.
As the June 30 PSR deadline approaches, all eyes will be on Aston Villa’s next move. The coming days could be pivotal in shaping the club’s financial health and transfer strategy for the rest of the summer.