Expert - Aston Villa to pay 'premium' to complete PL striker signing

Aston Villa may have to pay above the asking price if they want to sign Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta.

That is according to football finance expert Dr Dan Plumley, who has exclusively told Football Insider that Aston Villa need to be mindful of financial rules in the January window.

Mateta has asked to leave Crystal Palace and Aston Villa are among the clubs interested in the 28-year-old.

Aston Villa are also pursuing Roma striker Tammy Abraham, as Unai Emery searches for a new number nine to add to his squad.

Aston Villa would have to pay a ‘premium’ to sign Jean-Philippe Mateta

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Plumley believes Emery may have to decide between signing either Mateta or Abraham.

“So the potential transfer for Mateta is viable, but it might be that you see one of either Mateta or Abraham and not both,” Plumley said.

“But, again, we never know in football. And I think, again, there’s a lot to unpack within that Mateta example. 

“So it’s obvious with what’s going on at Palace, and the manager coming out and making the comments, with [Marc] Guehi moving, he’s the next one that everybody’s looking at. He’s the one to, you know, to want a challenge elsewhere. 

“At some point, Villa would probably have to pay a bit of a premium to get him, would be my view. It might cost Villa a little bit more than they want to pay, which could be the kind of make or break given their financial challenges with UEFA and having to be careful of that. 

“But I think it’s a viable move, for sure because, you know, he’s hoping for a move, and he’s a good Premier League transfer for Villa if they can make it work.“

Emi Martinez update emerges

Emi Martinez’s future at Aston Villa remains uncertain after the 33-year-old was left out the squad to face Fenerbahce in the Europa League.

Man United would be interested in signing Martinez if Aston Villa made the goalkeeper available for transfer.

Italian club Inter Milan are also front-runners to sign Martinez, who came close to departing Villa Park in the summer transfer window.

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