With the transfer window now open, Aston Villa have reportedly made their first move in pursuit of an impressive Championship talent who has attracted interest from a number of clubs.
Aston Villa's summer plans amid PSR concerns
It wouldn’t have just been Unai Emery left angered and bitterly disappointed at Aston Villa’s failure to qualify for the Champions League on the final day of the season, those in the boardroom would have been equally as frustrated. A place among Europe’s elite, on the pitch, would have come with the biggest and most historic occasions for a second season running. But off the pitch, it would have made an even greater impact.
Now, without Champions League football and the finances that come with it, Aston Villa are facing a profit and sustainability crisis. The numbers suggest that they need to sell to buy in the coming months if they want to comply with the rules, and just who those in the Midlands decide to sacrifice is the big question.
As The Athletic’s PSR data shows, Aston Villa are the side most at risk of facing sanctions unless they sell players this summer. Meanwhile, what will only frustrate those at Villa Park more when looking at the data is that Chelsea have the most room to manoeuvre and Manchester United have far more freedom than Aston Villa despite finishing 15th in the Premier League and missing out on European football last season.
Nonetheless, it is the position that Villa must now find a way out of and whilst the likes of Emiliano Martinez have already looked likely for the exit door, the Villans have still set their sights on potential bargain deals in the other direction.
Aston Villa make first Sidibe enquiry
According to The Telegraph’s John Percy, Aston Villa have now made their first enquiry to sign Sol Sidibe from Stoke City this summer. The Villans reportedly have “strong interest” in the teenager that Percy described as a “huge talent” and are competing against a number of English clubs for his signature.
At just 18 years old, the midfielder has been making plenty of waves in the Championship, making eight appearances for Stoke’s senior side last season and leaving former player turned U21s coach Ryan Shawcross incredibly impressed.
The former defender told reporters when asked about Sidibe’s performance against Manchester United’s youth side in August: “I thought Sol was absolutely top-class tonight and was the best player on the pitch by far.
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“He drove the ball up the pitch well, showed his qualities, and got another 90 minutes under his belt. We are very aware of the importance of the younger players getting minutes.”