Exclusive: Big Unai Emery exit update today

A summer exit for Unai Emery at Aston Villa is increasingly likely, sources have told Football Insider.

The 54-year-old manager is becoming unsettled at Villa Park due to the financial restrictions surrounding the club.

As a result, a huge few weeks lie ahead, which could decide if the Spaniard departs Villa at the end of the campaign or stays on next season to continue his overhaul of a team he has transformed during his four-year reign.

Emery has been the Aston Villa manager since 2022 and is on course to qualify for the Champions League for the second time in three seasons but his long-term status hangs in the balance.

What financial restrictions do Aston Villa face?

Aston Villa have continued to struggle to meet the financial rules in both the Premier League and Europe in recent years despite their success.

In February, media reports indicated that the club were set to be fined once again by UEFA, despite making a profit last season.

This is down to Villa once again being in breach of UEFA’s squad cost rules, which limit clubs to spending 70 per cent of their revenues on wages, transfer fees and agents’ fees.

“Unai Emery is a Champions League manager and he needs to compete”

Will Aston Villa finish in Champions League places? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/Gsn40nZYMC— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) February 27, 2026

These rules have plagued Villa for some time, limiting their ability to bring in new signings and spend significant money in the transfer window.

On top of this, the Birmingham outfit have been forced to part with numerous big-name players including, Jhon Duran, Moussa Diaby, and Douglas Luiz, with the latter returning on loan in the recent winter window.

Could Emery go to Man United?

Earlier this campaign, Football Insider exclusively revealed that Emery was a Manchester United target.

While these rumours have since died down, the Red Devils may be tempted to make a move for the manager if he became available.

Man United are yet to confirm their manager for the next campaign, with Michael Carrick only set to remain in the role until the end of the season.

Despite his bright start at Old Trafford, recent performances have been questionable, and the club lost to Newcastle 2-1 on Wednesday.

As a result, there is no guarantee that Carrick will be offered the job on a full-time basis, which could see them look elsewhere, and potentially at Emery.

However, it remains to be seen if the manager even elects to depart Villa Park come the end of the season.

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