Chelsea & Villa among clubs affected
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Reports emerged last week that could potentially have a significant impact on the early stages of the pending summer transfer window. According to Sky Sports News, Chelsea, Aston Villa, Newcastle, Everton, Nottingham Forest, and Leicester City all must offload players before June 30 in order to comply with the league’s Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR). The deadline at the close of June marks the end of the financial year for Premier League clubs, and they face a fight to stay in line with the regulations. PSR dictates a maximum loss allowance of £105 million (€124m) over three years. These six clubs are in danger of exceeding that limit and facing potential sanctions if they fail to balance the books before the deadline. We already saw both Everton and Nottingham Forest deducted points last season.
If this is indeed the case, then there could be some top talent available for a very fair price, as clubs look to negotiate early deals to stay on the right side of the rules. Here at Transfermarkt, we have picked out a player from each of those sides who could be on the move this June, and could represent a real bargain for other clubs. We’ve selected players who have been linked with moves away this month, and who could be reportedly available for a fee around their market value or even less this summer.
Six players who could be available on a bargain this June
Bruno Guimarães – Newcastle – market value: €85m
Newcastle are one of the clubs reportedly in danger of falling on the wrong side of the line regarding the PSR regulations. They have spent €469.05m over the the past three seasons, including the €42.1m acquisition of Bruno Guimarães from Lyon back in January 2022. The Brazilian has been a revelation at St James’ Park, but the Magpies could be forced to let one of their prized assets depart this summer. The 26-year-old reportedly has a release clause of €118m which is active this June, which could in itself represent a bargain given Guimarães’ quality, but some reports have even suggested they be willing to let him go for slightly less in order to get the deal over the line and comply with PSR.
Both of last season’s top two in Manchester City and Arsenal have been heavily linked with a move for Guimarães, with both teams in need of bringing in midfield recruitments. Man City are still very heavily reliant on Rodri, whilst both Thomas Partey and Jorginho are entering the twilight of their careers at Arsenal. There is also reported interest from French giants PSG. Newcastle will be hoping there is a way they can keep the Brazilian, but it does look likely that one key player may have to move on this June.
Douglas Luiz – Aston Villa – market value: €70m
Douglas Luiz was one of the outstanding performers in an outstanding season for Aston Villa. Having joined Villa from Man City in 2019 for a reported fee of €16.8m, the Brazilian has unquestionably gone from strength to strength at Villa Park. Luiz’s market value stood at just €2.5m when he made the move to Villa in the summer of 2019, but his market value has skyrocketed since Unai Emery joined the club, rising to an impressive €70m today. Reports suggest, that due to PSR regulations, Villa would be willing to let Luiz go for an offer in the region of €60m, which would be lower than his current market value.
One potential suitor could once again be Arsenal. The Gunners have had a long standing interest in Luiz stretching back to the summer of 2022, and such a bargain may be too tempting to ignore this summer. Juventus do however appear to be the front-runners, but don’t reportedly have the funds for the transfer and would look to do a player swap deal instead, with youngster Samuel Iling Junior and Weston McKennie plus €20m mooted to have been offered to Villa. Whilst Manchester United have also been rumoured to be interested in Luiz’s services, with Casemiro expected to depart Old Trafford this summer.
Conor Gallagher – Chelsea – market value: €50m
Despite being one of Chelsea’s most consistent players last season, Conor Gallagher constantly had to deal with rumours of a potential departure being on the horizon. With the reported issues Chelsea have with PSR, given they have spent over €1b in just three seasons under the ownership of Todd Boehly, Gallagher would represent a home-grown player and therefore pure profit. Gallagher has been vocal in the fact he would like to stay at the club, and most Chelsea fans would also be gutted to see him depart, but with the financial pressure on the club, that might not be enough. The Blues would reportedly accept a bid in the region of around €50m – his current market value.
For the entirety of the last January transfer window, Tottenham were heavily linked with a move for Gallagher, with Ange Postecoglou said to be an admirer of the Englishmen’s attributes and style of play. Whilst Spurs still remain one of the front-runners for his signature, Aston Villa have emerged as favourites to bring him to Villa Park this summer. However, their own financial issues may prevent them from making that move this June.
Amadou Onana – Everton – market value: €50m
Everton are a club who already know all about the implications of not following the PSR’s financial regulations. The Toffees were deducted six points last season, but still managed to avoid relegation. Unfortunately for Everton, they could be in further trouble this season, if they don’t comply for the latest period in question, and are likely to offload at least one top player this June. Amadou Onana may just be that man – he has been consistently linked with a move away from Goodison Park almost ever since he arrived, and the fact he was actually dropped to the bench for the run-in showed Sean Dyche’s team can cope without him. Rumours have suggested Everton would listen to bids of around €55m – just €5m over his market value of €50m.
Barcelona have reportedly had a long term interest in Onana, who will have an opportunity to further showcase his ability at Euro 2024 with Belgium. He could provide the steel and physicality in their midfield to unlock the best from the likes of Pedri and Gavi. Arsenal and Manchester United have also reportedly been long-term admirers of Onana, and could be tempted by Everton’s reported relatively low asking price and his Premier League experience.
Murillo – Nottingham Forest – market value: €35m
Nottingham Forest were another club to feel the wrath of PSR, as they were docked four points last season. And they too are in danger of not being compliant against for the latest timeframe. It’s likely they may have to sanction a sale this June, and Brazilian centre-half Murillo could well be that man. Although, they put off potential buyers, with their current mooted asking price of around €70m – over double his current market value of €35m. However, as the month goes on, if they remain in trouble they may be forced to lower that figure and Murillo, with his bags of potential, could offer a sensible purchase.
The Premier League trio of Liverpool, Arsenal and Tottenham have all reportedly shown interest in Murillo. With the formidable partnership of William Saliba and Gabriel at Arsenal, it would appear unlikely that the Gunners would splash out on a player who may not be first choice. With Virgil van Dijk entering the twilight of his career, and neither Ibrahima Konate nor Jarell Quansah able to nail down the role as his partner, Liverpool could represent a wise suitor. Tottenham do have Micky van De Ven and Cristian Romero, although both players had injury problems last term.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall – Leicester – market value: €30m
Despite winning the Championship and regaining their Premier League status, Leicester face a serious chance of being in breach of PSR rules and a potential points deduction. One sale that could ease that pressure could be that of midfield star Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall. The Englishmen came close to a move to Brighton last January, although the two clubs had different valuations of the player. This time around, as the deadline approaches, the Foxes may be forced to reconsider their stance and let him go for a lower transfer fee, with a fee in the region of €40m being mooted – just €10m over his market value. As an academy graduate he would represent pure profit.
One club who have been heavily linked with a move for Dewsbury-Hall this June is Chelsea, with their new boss Enzo Maresca being very impressed with the 25 year old from their time together in the East Midlands. Although, the Blues do have their own financial issues and may be unable to cough up a fee before the June 30 deadline. Arsenal have also been loosely linked with the midfielder, whilst Brighton are reportedly expected to make another move this summer.
