Manchester United are linked with Aston Villa players Emiliano Martinez and Ollie Watkins as the club are fine almost £10million by Uefa for breaching financial regulations
Emiliano Martinez and Ollie Watkins walking of the team bus together before a Premier League match
Manchester United are linked with both Emiliano Martinez and Ollie Watkins this summer transfer window
(Image: Getty Images)
UEFA have fined Aston Villa almost £10million for breaching financial regulations last year while competing in the Champions League.
Of the imposed unconditional €11million (£9.5million) total fine, €5million (£4.3million) is for failing to comply with football earnings rules. The other €6million (£5.2million) is because of breaching squad cost rules (SCR).
It is the second straight year the club is sanctioned after receiving a £50,000 fine for the alleged late submission of their 2023/24 season financial information in the Conference League. Villa also face a conditional €5million (£4.3million) fine per year for the next three years should any further breaches happen.
All clubs face a reduced spending-to-revenue ratio this term. SCR caps "spending on player and coach wages and transfers and agent fees" at 70% of a club's revenue this year, down from 80%.
They will be in the Europa League this coming campaign after missing out on consecutive seasons as a Champions League club because of a 2-0 final-day defeat to Manchester United at Old Trafford. Newcastle United instead qualified by finishing fifth due to their superior goal difference.
The total wages from Villa's most recent set of accounts for 2023-24 are £252million, compared to a revenue of £275.7million. That works out at over 90% but does include non-football staff, which UEFA discounts when calculating SCR based on a calendar year.
Villa will likely have to reduce their wage bill this summer. Philippe Coutinho completing a permanent move to Vasco da Gama, as confirmed on Friday, will help toward that.
As reported by Birmingham Live, Emiliano Martinez is one of the club's top earners and is a player they could possibly involve in a 'big sale' before turning 33 in September. However, it is said there will be no fire sale. United are linked with the goalkeeper and Ollie Watkins.
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