Aston Villa face another summer balancing act with UEFA’s settlement agreement continuing to shape every transfer decision despite a historic season.
Emery wants two wide players and a striker, with a right-sided defender also on the agenda
Bailey and Guessand are available for sale while Martinez’s Juventus situation remains unresolved
Rogers is not pushing to leave, but Villa expect to demand at least £100m if he does go
Harvey Barnes and PSG teenager Ibrahim Mbaye are among the identified attacking targets
The ore problem. UEFA’s settlement agreement remains active
Champions League qualification does not automatically dissolve financial constraints. For Aston Villa specifically, the UEFA settlement agreement reached last year, following a breach of financial fair play rules, continues to govern how the club operates in the transfer market. Consequently, every incoming must be carefully balanced against outgoings. Furthermore, the terms of that agreement mean Villa cannot simply point to Champions League revenue as justification for unconstrained spending. As a result, the summer balancing act that has defined the club’s approach for two consecutive windows extends into a third.
Football finance expert Kieran Maguire specifically addressed this reality earlier in the summer. “Villa qualifying for the Champions League will open the purse a fair amount, but they were certainly constrained in 2025-26 and I suspect there’s a fair chance that will roll over to next season.” That specific assessment confirms the financial landscape Emery and Roberto Olabe are navigating.
Emery’s priority: attack above everything else
Nevertheless, Emery’s recruitment focus is clear and specific. Two wide players capable of adding pace to Villa’s attacking unit represent the primary targets. Additionally, a striker is being sought, placing some doubt over Tammy Abraham’s long-term future at the club following his January arrival. A right-sided defender providing cover and competition for Matty Cash is also on the agenda.
Harvey Barnes from Newcastle United represents the most specific and well-documented wide target. The 28-year-old’s 16 Premier League goals this season, combined with his family connections to the Midlands and Newcastle’s failure to qualify for Europe, make Villa a highly compelling destination. Meanwhile, PSG teenager Ibrahim Mbaye has emerged as a genuinely exciting prospect, with Villa reportedly “very close” to completing a deal for the Senegal international.
The outgoings picture. Funding the arrivals
Balancing the books requires specific and decisive outgoing activity. Leon Bailey, whose £25m 2021 arrival from Bayer Leverkusen never quite delivered the expected return, is available for sale. Similarly, Evann Guessand‘s situation points toward a permanent Crystal Palace purchase for approximately £28m. Both departures would collectively generate meaningful funds toward Emery’s attacking targets.
However, the most significant financial variable remains Emi Martinez. Reports from Italy confirm talks between Juventus and Martinez’s agent (though Villa have yet to receive a formal approach). Juventus have offered €5m toward Villa’s €15m asking price, a gap that both clubs are actively working to bridge through the player’s own entourage. Consequently, the goalkeeper situation will significantly shape Villa’s overall summer budget once resolved.
The Rogers question. Everything hinges on one decision
Ultimately, Morgan Rogers represents the single most consequential variable in Villa’s entire summer. The Europa League Player of the Season has multiple high-profile suitors: Arsenal, Manchester United and PSG among them. Villa are reluctant to sell and demand at least £100m. Rogers himself is not pushing for a move. Moreover, no significant movement is expected until after the World Cup concludes in mid-July.
Therefore, the Rogers situation effectively places Villa’s most ambitious transfer plans in a holding pattern. Should he depart at £100m, the financial freedom to pursue Barrenetxea, Adeyemi and other premium targets becomes significantly more achievable. Should he stay, Villa must work creatively within tighter constraints relying on smart free agent additions, sell-on clause funded deals and carefully structured payments.
ReadAstonVilla Verdict
The balancing act continues, but this is not a crisis. It is the reality of a club punching consistently above its financial weight under one of Europe’s finest managers. Smart sales. Targeted arrivals. Careful compliance. Villa have navigated this challenge successfully for three consecutive summers. The fourth will be no different.