PL club’s financial nightmare could see United swoop in and seal major summer targets – report

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Manchester United could receive a boost in their pursuit of Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins and Emiliano Martinez.

The Red Devils are keen to add to their attack and one option that has been reported on recently is Ollie Watkins.

The English forward apparently has a £60 million price tag and Arsenal are also said to be keen on the player.

United are also looking to bolster their goalkeeping department and they have been linked to the Villans’ keeper, Martinez.

The World Cup champion would prefer to stay in a “highly competitive” league and would reportedly be keen on a switch to Old Trafford.

The Manchester Evening News report that United may gain an advantage for both players in negotiations as Villa have come across more financial issues.

It is reported that “UEFA have fined Aston Villa almost £10 million for breaching financial regulations last year while competing in the Champions League.”

The report elaborates on the issue and states, “of the imposed unconditional €11 million (£9.5 million) total fine, €5 million (£4.3 million) is for failing to comply with football earnings rules. The other €6 million (£5.2 million) is because of breaching squad cost rules (SCR).”

Unai Emery’s team also felt the wrath of financial punishments last year for breaking rules in the 2023/2024 season after submitting late information on their Conference League finances.

Aston Villa’s major problem is SCR rules that stipulate that a club can only spend 70% of their revenue on player and coach wages, as well as transfers and agent fees.

Their issue is that they currently sit at over 90% and an obvious solution is to sell some players and shed some of these big wages.

Martinez reportedly earns £150,000 and Watkins £130,000 a week, so ridding the club of these financial commitments would certainly aid Villa’s predicament.

Their need to shed costs could also allow United to seal a deal for both players at prices below the selling club’s valuation, especially in the case of Watkins.

Featured image Richard Heathcote via Getty Images

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