UEFA made Aston Villa to sell Jacob Ramsey then sign Jadon Sancho - finance expert
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Credit: Manh Tung - Breaking Media / Imago
Ben Palmer
Tue 2 September 2025 21:02, UK
Aston Villa were under pressure from UEFA to produce a positive net transfer spend this summer.
That is according to football finance expert Dan Plumley, who told Football Insider exclusively that Unai Emery’s side were doing all they could to avoid further sanctions from the European governing body.
Aston Villa were fined by UEFA earlier this summer for failing to comply with their financial regulations.
The Midlands side’s transfer business was notably impacted, with Evann Guessand and Marco Bizot the only players to arrive for a fee this summer.
Aston Villa did secure the signing of Victor Lindelof for free on deadline day, but despite playing Champions League football last season, the failure to qualify for the competition had a damning effect on their approach to the window this summer.
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This article contains exclusive comment from Dan Plumley, a football finance expert and senior lecturer at Sheffield Hallam University.
Following their fine from UEFA, Aston Villa agreed to a set of financial restrictions, or else face more fines and even a ban from competing in Europe.
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Speaking to Football Insider exclusively, Plumley explained why the threat of sanctions had led to the decision to sell Jacob Ramsey to Newcastle, and then sign Jadon Sancho on loan from Man United as his replacement.
He said: “That goes back to the terms of the agreement with UEFA.
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“We know that Villa had to be in positive transfer spend in terms of net spend.
“They needed to have a positive position in that this summer, that was something that UEFA have stipulated against that fine that was dished out.
“Selling Jacob Ramsey for a fee and bringing in Sancho on loan helps with that, because you’re not paying a transfer fee out as well.
“It’s more wrapped up in Villa’s overall situation with UEFA more than anything, and they’re sticking to those terms of agreement that have been put down against that fine and that sanction.”
As part of the deal to bring him to the Midlands, Aston Villa will pay a minimum of 80% of Sancho’s wages.
The winger currently earns in the region of £250,000-a-week, making the yearly salary cost to the Villains at least £10million.
Credit: Imago
The deal also contains a loan fee and achievable bonuses, meaning that Villa may end up shouldering the entire cost of Sancho’s pay packet.
However, should the winger have an impact similar to Marcus Rashford during his temporary stint at Villa Park last season, Emery’s side will care little about how much the 25-year-old costs them.