Contact made: Aston Villa now in talks to sign “incredible” ex-Championship star in £17m swoop
Aston Villa Open Talks to Sign Gabriel Sara Amid Looming PSR Deadline
With the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) deadline fast approaching, Aston Villa appear to be pressing ahead with their summer business. Reports now suggest that the club has entered negotiations to sign Brazilian midfielder Gabriel Sara, formerly of Norwich City, in a deal worth around £17 million. The move signals Villa’s intent to strengthen their squad even as they face pressing financial constraints.
Villa Racing Against Time to Comply with PSR
The financial clock is ticking at Villa Park. As of now, Aston Villa have until June 30 to ensure they remain within the Premier League’s PSR regulations. Although the club has already agreed to offload Philippe Coutinho to Vasco da Gama—an important step in easing financial pressures—there is still uncertainty as to whether this sale alone will be enough to balance the books.
If it proves insufficient, the coming days could be critical, with high-stakes decisions on player sales expected. Several key names have been floated as potential exits, including Lucas Digne and even first-choice goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez. Selling either would likely be a reluctant move, but could be deemed necessary to avoid PSR breaches.
In particular, the prospect of Martinez leaving—especially to a direct Premier League rival like Manchester United—would be a bitter pill to swallow. The Argentine has been one of Unai Emery’s most influential players, and losing him would not only weaken the squad but also strengthen a domestic competitor.
Financial Warnings and Champions League Fallout
Football finance expert Kieran Maguire recently sounded the alarm about Villa’s PSR situation, telling Sky Sports:
> “Of all the 20 Premier League clubs, Villa are the ones we’re most concerned about. Last season, even when they qualified for the Champions League, they spent £91 on wages for every £100 they earned.”
This financial imbalance has left Villa in a precarious position. While Champions League qualification would have offered a vital boost in revenue, their failure to secure a top-four finish on the final day of the season may have significant consequences. It could now force the club into further sales just to stay compliant with league regulations.
Gabriel Sara Emerges as a Target
Despite the financial pressure, Villa seem determined not to let it derail their transfer plans. According to a report from Calcio Mercato’s Santi Aouna, the club has opened talks to sign Gabriel Sara from Turkish giants Galatasaray. In what could become a multi-faceted set of negotiations, Villa are also reportedly in discussions with Galatasaray over potential exits for both Digne and Martinez.
While these would be separate deals, the clubs could collaborate to ensure mutually beneficial outcomes. Villa could fund the acquisition of Sara through the revenue generated from player sales to Galatasaray, helping both clubs achieve their respective summer goals.
Sara, who left Norwich City for Galatasaray last year, is currently valued at approximately €20 million (£17 million). This would mark a significant step up for the 25-year-old, who impressed during his final campaign in the Championship. That season, he registered 14 goals and 13 assists across all competitions—a remarkable return for a midfielder.
Highly regarded by talent scouts, including U23 expert Antonio Mango who described him as “incredible”, Sara’s creativity, versatility, and eye for goal could make him a valuable asset at Villa Park. His move to the Premier League feels long overdue, and a transfer to Aston Villa may finally provide him with the platform to prove himself at the highest level.