Fabrizio Romano: Atletico Madrid eyeing move to sign £120k-p/w Aston Villa ace who Emery loves

{“remix_data”:[],”remix_entry_point”:”challenges”,”source_tags”:[“local”],”origin”:”unknown”,”total_draw_time”:0,”total_draw_actions”:0,”layers_used”:0,”brushes_used”:0,”photos_added”:0,”total_editor_actions”:{},”tools_used”:{},”is_sticker”:false,”edited_since_last_sticker_save”:false,”containsFTESticker”:false}

ByMusa
June 18, 2025

With time running out to allay their PSR fears, Aston Villa have been left with no choice but to sell Unai Emery’s beloved player amid reported interest from Atletico Madrid this summer.

Aston Villa must sell players this summer
Despite their success in recent years and their rise to the top six, Aston Villa must sell players this summer to meet PSR regulations. Football finance expert Kieran Maguire explained their situation on Sky Sports, saying: “I think of the 20 Premier League clubs, Villa are the ones we’re most worried about.

“Last season, when they qualified for the Champions League, they spent £91 on wages for every £100 of revenue Aston Villa brought in.

“And don’t forget that Villa have done very well in this competition. So that will be a plus. They have also sold a few players, both in the last summer transfer window and in January. But I think there is still a perception that Villa will have to box smart.

“And of all the clubs that are under pressure to sell players by June 30, I would imagine they are the club that is paying the most attention because their spending has been so extensive in the last few years before entering Europe.”

So it is likely to be a frustrating summer for those in the Midlands. Emiliano Martinez has already made headlines and is a player who could make room to help Villa on the PSR front.

Meanwhile, Morgan Rogers has no shortage of fans, although he is someone Villa will be keen to keep in the coming months. Whichever route the Villans choose, they will have to approach their PSR issues carefully – avoiding a sanction at all costs – which could still lead to them selling a certain player anyway defender.

Atletico Madrid eyeing Lucas Digne move

As reported by Paul Joyce and relayed by Fabrizio Romano, Atletico Madrid are now considering a move for Lucas Digne if they fail to sign Andy Robertson from Liverpool this summer.

While Digne’s departure would be frustrating, he is the type of player Aston Villa should be looking to move on if they are to comply with PSR regulations this summer.

At 31, the defender, who earns £120,000 a week, is set to pass the peak of his powers sooner or later and with Ian Maatsen keen to break into Villa’s top flight, this summer could be the perfect time for a parting of ways.

Whether Emery agrees remains to be seen. The Spaniard has never hidden his admiration for his left-back – he went so far as to describe Digne as “fantastic” last year.