Aston Villa chief Monchi has opened up on the club’s hectic transfer window and revealed that offers were rejected for two first-team stars.
Aston Villa had two separate deadlines they had to work to over the summer window – the first being the PSR cut-off on June 30.
The Birmingham-based side were at risk of facing a points deduction if they didn’t raise a profit before the cut-off date, but the £42m sale of Douglas Luiz to Juventus kept their heads above water.
Once Villa had solved their financial issues, attention turned to strengthening Unai Emery‘s squad in July and August and the club welcomed eight new signings including £50m arrival Amadou Onana.
With the transfer window now closed, Villa have made an impressive start to the season with two wins and one defeat coming against Arsenal.
Villa’s President of Football Operations Monchi has now lifted the lid on Villa’s summer and revealed that they rejected offers for two stars.
Aston Villa rejected two big bids
Villa were under pressure to raise cash through sales this summer and they achieved their target with a £50m deal for Moussa Diaby and the £42m sale of Douglas Luiz.
However, Monchi has revealed that the club had other PSR solutions that would have involved selling either Jacob Ramsey, Ollie Watkins or Emiliano Martinez.
Speaking to The Athletic, Monchi said: “If we sold Ramsey, it (PSR) would be solved. And we could because we had offers.”
“Another solution was to put onto the market Watkins. It’s an easy solution as he’s a top striker.
“Or to sell the best goalkeeper in the world because we had offers for Martinez.”
Aston Villa kept hold of Jacob Ramsey and Emiliano Martinez
Heading into the summer window it looked as though Villa’s squad was going to be picked apart after their remarkable top-four finish.
Luiz and Diaby are big losses, but Villa reinvested well and now have great squad depth for their Champions League campaign.
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Keeping hold of the likes of Watkins, Ramsey and Martinez was essential. Villa, and Monchi, did exceptionally well to navigate the club’s financial issues while also retaining their star players.
Villa have made a promising start to the season and it looks as though the hierarchy at the club have set Emery up to challenge for the top four once again this season.