Ezri Konsa, a defender for Aston Villa, claims that the club was “killed” by financial constraints during the summer transfer window.
Early in August, Villa acquired striker Evann Guessand from Nice for £26 million plus £4.3 million in add-ons, their only significant long-term move.
They only added players to manager Unai Emery’s side on transfer deadline day after selling academy product Jacob Ramsey to Newcastle United for £40 million.
As they worked around spending caps, they signed free agent Victor Lindelof and brought in Manchester United’s Jadon Sancho and Liverpool’s Harvey Elliott on loan.
If Villa hadn’t had a positive transfer balance by the end of the summer transfer window, they might not have been allowed to sign new players for the Europa League this season.
In July, UEFA penalised Villa for violating the financial regulations of the European regulatory body.
Additionally, the Birmingham club must follow the profit and sustainability regulations (PSR), which stipulate that teams cannot record losses exceeding £105 million over a three-year reporting cycle, just like their top-flight rivals.
“It’s insane. Although I don’t understand it personally, it doesn’t seem nice from the outside. I am aware of that.
“I know it’s really killed us this transfer window,” Konsa, who is now playing for England on international duty, stated.
Villa finished below Newcastle United on goal differential last season, placing sixth in the Premier League and missing out on fifth place and Champions League qualification.
Villa spent £57.5 million and recovered £47 million, leaving them with a £10.5 million surplus, making them the third-lowest outlay in the Premier League this summer, according to FootballTransfers.com.
“We’re going to have to deal with what we’ve got now,” Konsa remarked.
“That [transfer deadline day] was definitely not something I watched. It has been difficult, particularly for us.
“I didn’t look at transfer deadline day because I knew it would be hard for us to sign players.
Approximately eight o’clock I checked Villa’s social media accounts to see what had transpired.
I noticed that we signed three excellent players with Premier League experience.
I believe we also required that. From their first three games of the season, Villa has only picked up one point, which came from a goalless draw with Newcastle.
After the international break, Konsa hopes they can improve their situation.
We have a fantastic team, and I have faith in them. “I have faith in our manager,” he declared.
“Hopefully the boys who have come in can really help us and push us on.”
