Aston Villa require sales before the June 30 deadline in order to remain compliant with the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability rules.
It’s a familiar scenario for Villa, who, despite the influx of revenue from a run to the Champions League quarter-finals this season, remain in need of departures. Who, or how many, could hinge on whether the club can secure qualification for the Champions League for next season. Regardless, sales are still needed to avoid sanctions.
Last summer, Villa were one of several teams to engage in multi-club swap deals in a tactic to balance the books. Sales were counted as instant cash, while signings could be spread out over time.
Villa sold Tim Iroegbunam to Everton for ยฃ9m, with Lewis Dobbin heading the other way for ยฃ10m. Ian Maatsen was brought in from Chelsea for ยฃ37.5m, as Omari Kellyman went to West London for ยฃ19m. The biggest sale was Douglas Luiz, who joined Juventus for โฌ50m. Samuel Iling-Junior and Enzo Barrenechea came in, in the opposite direction. Without the sale of Luiz, Villa would have breached PSR last season.
PSR dictates teams cannot incur losses of more than ยฃ105million over a three-year period, and Villa must be savvy again in this summer’s market. We look at five players who could depart to ease their concerns.
Aston Villa: Which players could leave as the club look to remain PSR compliant?
Ollie Watkins
Aston Villa turned down an approach from Arsenal for Ollie Watkins in January, with an offer of ยฃ60m not deemed sufficient. Villa instead sanctioned the sale of Jhon Duran to the Saudi Pro League, with Watkins remaining to lead the line.
Only three players have 105+ goal involvements in the Premier League since the start of the 2020/2021 season:
โ 168 – Mohamed Salah (110 goals, 58 assists)
โ 116 – Son Heung-min (74 goals, 42 assists)
โ 107 – Ollie Watkins (74 goals, 33 assists)#AVFC pic.twitter.com/u8aWIuaubuโ Aston Villa Statto (@AVFCStatto) May 6, 2025
However, the 29-year-old has discussed his frustration after sharing his role with loanee Marcus Rashford since January. Despite being the club’s leading scorer, Watkins played just 25 minutes over two legs of Villa’s Champions League exit to Paris Saint-Germain.
With next season being a World Cup year, it’s unlikely Watkins will accept a rotational role, should Rashford’s loan be made permanent. Arsenal have him on their shortlist, but priorities are elsewhere for the Gunners.
Morgan Rogers
Morgan Rogers has enjoyed a breakthrough season, with the midfielder a candidate for the PFA Young Player of the Year award. Rogers has 14 goals and 12 assists across all competitions and has earned admirers at the top end of the Premier League.
๐๐๐ผ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐: Chelsea have notified their interest in Morgan Rogers and are not the only Premier League side in this regard; yet it would take a sizeable fee and other factors for his exit to be considered.
[@J_Tanswell] pic.twitter.com/IpJ5kkJc3l
โ Transfer Sector (@TransferSector) May 8, 2025
A brilliant ball-carrier in central areas, Chelsea and Liverpool have been linked of late. Signed for just ยฃ8m from Middlesbrough 18 months ago, his sale would bring in a huge profit for Villa.
Boubacar Kamara
Aston Villa have built one of the Premier League’s best midfields for a pittance, recruiting Boubacar Kamara, Youri Tielemans and John McGinn for a combined sum of ยฃ2.8m. Kamara’s arrival on a free transfer has represented brilliant business, with the Frenchman recovering from long-term injury to thrive this season.
There are some at Aston Villa who remain confused – if grateful – that Kamara has not generated serious transfer talk, with the 25-year-old’s combative defensive work and intelligent positioning the bedrock of their engine room.
If it were suggested that he could leave in the summer, there would be no shortage of suitors.
Leon Bailey
Leon Bailey has been a casualty of Aston Villa’s mid-season recruitment, with the additions of Marcus Rashford, Marco Asensio and Donyell Malen increasing competition for places.
The Jamaica international has started just three times in the Premier League since the turn of the year, due to injury and a period out of favour. Saudi Pro League sides are watching his situation, with Bailey having failed to find the form of last season.
Still just 27, he scored 10 goals and provided nine assists in the 2023/24 Premier League.
Emiliano Martinez
Emiliano Martinez is another target for the Saudi Pro League, despite sources close to the goalkeeper insisting no talks have taken place. The two-time Yashin winner is a huge favourite in the Midlands but could be sacrificed if a huge offer arrives.
Aston Villa plan to sign at least one goalkeeper this summer and have been linked with challenging Arsenal and Manchester United in the race forย Espanyol ‘keeper, Joan Garcia.
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