Monchi will be working up until the 7pm summer transfer deadline on Monday
Lucas Paqueta wants to join Aston Villa
Lucas Paqueta wants to join Aston Villa
It hasn’t been a straightforward transfer window for Aston Villa, who remain active in the market as they look to strengthen Unai Emery’s squad.
They have been restricted by both the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) and UEFA’s financial regulations. Under PSR, clubs are permitted to lose up to £105 million over a rolling three-year period. Villa unsuccessfully lobbied last year to increase that limit to £135 million.
However, it is UEFA’s rules that Villa have found even more challenging to comply with. Like the Premier League, UEFA limits clubs to three-year losses - €60 million (£51.8m), of which €55 million (£47.5m) can be covered through secure owner funding.
Clubs deemed to be in good financial standing are granted an additional cushion of €30 million (£25.9m), allowing for total losses of up to €90 million (£77.7m) over three years.
UEFA insists these rules are not intended to create a level playing field but to ensure that clubs live within their means.
Villa were fined £9.5 million by UEFA in July for breaching the European governing body's financial regulations last season, including spending more than the permitted 80% of income on player wages.
UEFA had been in constructive talks with Villa since December, and both parties agreed that part of the punishment would include having a positive transfer balance at the end of this window.
Jacob Ramsey’s £40 million sale to Newcastle United was completed last week, improving Villa’s position with regard to both Premier League and UEFA financial regulations.
However, that does not grant the club freedom to spend lavishly in the final days of the window, though they do have a degree of flexibility following other departures.
That’s why there is space in the budget to facilitate a move for Lucas Paquetá from West Ham.
The Brazilian wants the move, but his club does not want to let him leave so late in the window. Whether an agreement can be struck remains to be seen - Villa are looking to sort a loan with an obligation to buy.
Signing Paquetá would be a coup for Villa, considering the quality and form the playmaker has shown during most of his career at the Hammers, aside from when he faced allegations of betting breaches.
A couple of years ago, the Football Association began investigating Paquetá over alleged breaches. However, earlier this summer, a regulatory commission ultimately found the most serious charge - spot-fixing - “not proven,” and he will face no punishment.
Another option for Villa is Marco Asensio from Paris Saint-Germain, who spent the second half of last season on loan at Villa Park.
The Spaniard is a player Emery had targeted in previous windows, and he was delighted to secure him back in February.
“He’s adapting very well and has a very good opportunity with us here to play as a number 10, and he has always felt comfortable in this position,” Emery said of Asensio a few weeks after his arrival.
“When we spoke to him - even before he went to Paris - we discussed a potential challenge here in the Premier League, specifically as a number 10 in our system.
"He decided in the last transfer window to join us because we had planned for him to play in his best position. He is showing his desire to contribute his qualities and link our midfield, striker, and wingers. He has the capacity to score goals in the box. It is fantastic.
"I’m happy with the players who joined us in the last window, and also with those who hadn’t been playing consistently but are now stepping up and helping us.”
Villa’s issue in the early games of the season has been a lack of width and pace. Although Evann Guessand and Donyell Malen help address that to an extent, Villa expect to play more than 50 games this season and will need greater depth.
Too narrow and predictable in their build-up, Villa have been crying out for players who can stretch the pitch and beat their man - much like Leon Bailey did two seasons ago.
Even last term, despite struggling for form, Bailey still offered the winger profile Villa are currently missing.
In addition to a winger, Villa are also in need of defensive cover, but lost out to Crystal Palace in the race to sign Jaydee Canvot from Toulouse.
Perhaps Axel Disasi could become an option for Villa once more, especially after the defender was insistent on linking up with Emery last February despite interest from Tottenham.
A dream deadline day for Villa would involve three arrivals: Paqueta, a right winger, and defensive cover.
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