Fabrizio Romano: Atletico Madrid set to submit huge offer to sign £120k-p/w Aston Villa ace who Emery loves
Aston Villa Facing Tough Decisions Amid PSR Pressure – Lucas Digne Could Be Sacrificed Despite Unai Emery’s Admiration
As the clock ticks down toward the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Regulations (PSR) compliance deadline, Aston Villa may be forced into making difficult decisions to stay within the league’s financial rules. One of those decisions could involve the potential sale of a key player who remains highly valued by manager Unai Emery. With reported interest from Atletico Madrid, experienced full-back Lucas Digne might be the one to make way this summer.
Financial Reality Catching Up With Aston Villa
Despite Aston Villa’s impressive resurgence in recent years—culminating in a top-six finish and a coveted Champions League berth—the club now finds itself at a financial crossroads. To maintain compliance with PSR, Villa must offload some players before June 30 or risk facing sanctions that could derail their momentum.
Football finance expert Kieran Maguire highlighted the situation during a segment on Sky Sports, noting that Villa stands out among Premier League clubs when it comes to financial scrutiny.
“Out of all 20 clubs, Aston Villa is arguably the one under the most pressure,” Maguire said. “Last season, when they secured Champions League qualification, the club was spending 91% of its revenue on player wages. That’s a huge figure—especially considering many of those contracts included automatic salary increases tied to Champions League qualification.”
He added that while the club has made some sales during the previous summer and January transfer windows, the overall perception remains that Villa needs to be very strategic—if not aggressive—about managing its finances this summer. “Of all the clubs working against the PSR clock, Villa’s name comes up the most. Their ambitious spending in recent seasons, particularly before breaking into Europe, has now caught up with them.”
Star Players At Risk of Being Offloaded
Unfortunately for supporters, this financial squeeze could mean the departure of some beloved players. Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez has already been the subject of speculation, while rising talent Morgan Rogers has drawn interest from several clubs—though Villa is reportedly keen to keep hold of him.
Regardless of who stays or goes, the club must navigate this summer with precision. Avoiding PSR violations is non-negotiable, and every decision made in the transfer market must contribute to that objective.
Atletico Madrid Showing Interest in Lucas Digne
One name now surfacing as a possible exit is French international Lucas Digne. According to reports from journalist Paul Joyce, relayed by transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, La Liga giants Atletico Madrid are eyeing Digne as a contingency option if their pursuit of Liverpool’s Andy Robertson fails.
Digne’s potential departure may not come as a shock from a strategic point of view. At 31, the experienced left-back is among Villa’s higher earners, reportedly taking home £120,000 per week. Given his age and salary, offloading him could significantly ease the club’s financial burden and help meet PSR criteria.
Adding to the intrigue is the presence of young talent Ian Maatsen, who is pushing for a place in Villa’s starting XI. With the Dutchman seen as a long-term solution in the left-back role, this summer may be the right moment for Villa to part ways with Digne—despite his contributions on the pitch.
Emery’s Loyalty May Complicate the Decision
However, moving on from Digne might not be so straightforward. Manager Unai Emery has been vocal in his admiration for the Frenchman, describing him as “amazing” just last year. Emery’s tactical setups have often relied on Digne’s experience and quality, and the Spaniard may be reluctant to lose a player he holds in such high regard.
Ultimately, the decision could boil down to balancing emotional attachment with financial necessity. If the club wants to continue progressing under the constraints of PSR, some hard choices are inevitable—and Lucas Digne might be one of the first big names to go.
As the June 30 deadline draws near, all eyes will be on Villa Park to see how the club manages its squad and its books. For a side that has achieved so much in recent seasons, this summer could prove to be one of the most defining yet.