- Aston Villa are preparing to take interest in Douglas Luiz and academy product Ramsey
- Under league rules, clubs cannot lose more than £105 million over a three-year period
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Aston Villa are facing the prospect of having to sell at least one key player this summer after making losses of almost £120 million in the last financial year.
The Champions League-chasing club recorded a loss of £119.6m for the year ending May 30, 2023, with the next accounting period expected to end on June 30 this year.
The Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) stipulate that clubs cannot lose more than £105 million over a three-year period, with points deductions possible if they do so.
As Mail Sport reported on March 1, Villa are primed for interest from rivals this summer, with midfielders Jacob Ramsey and Douglas Luiz set to be targeted. Villa are unlikely to make a bid for key strikers Ollie Watkins or Leon Bailey, who have signed new contracts since the start of 2023, as well as Tyrone Mings, Ezri Konsa and John McGinn.
Villa sold homegrown Cameron Archer, Aaron Ramsey – Jacob’s younger brother – and Jaden Philogene last summer for a total of £40 million, which can be saved as pure profit under PSR rules.
Aston Villa may have to say goodbye to a top star this summer after making a £120million loss in the last financial year
The club is gearing up for bids for the likes of Douglas Luiz after his excellent form this season
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Jacob is also an academy product and is valued at around £50 million, with Newcastle expressing interest in January.
Boubacar Kamara would have been another possible departure as he joined on a free transfer in the summer of 2022 and could be sold for more than £50 million, but the Frenchman will not be available until the autumn after suffering a serious knee injury.
Boss Unai Emery is keen to improve this squad at the end of the season, especially with a possible Champions League campaign on the horizon, but will likely have to make compromises in the transfer market.
Newcastle showed interest in £50m academy product Jacob Ramsey in January
Lucas Digne, one of the club’s top earners, could move on as Villa try to regulate spending
Villa’s wage bill has also risen significantly since Steven Gerrard replaced Dean Smith in the autumn of 2021, with fresh impetus under Emery. Top earners such as Lucas Digne are among those who may also move this summer.
Villa’s statement said: ‘It is important to note that these figures are in line with the strategic business plan and we continue to operate within the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules.
“The owners of Aston Villa remain committed to the long-term and sustainable development of the club, and we look forward to further progress in the implementation of our strategic plan.”