'It doesn't bear thinking about' - nightmare transfer scenario Aston Villa must avoid

The summer transfer window opened on Friday and Aston Villa have already made moves to sign players and balance their books due to the strain caused by Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR).

Douglas Luiz is expected to complete his move to Juventus shortly, while Weston McKennie and Samuel Iling-Junior are set to head to Villa. Unai Emery knew he faced losing one of his key players before the end of this month due to the club’s position in regards to PSR.

Villa also remain in talks with Chelsea over the sale of Jhon Duran. The move is said to be worth around £40m, while Villa are also interested in Blues players Ian Maatsen and Conor Gallagher.

READ | Jhon Duran to Chelsea transfer: Aston Villa reach decision in £40m deal

READ | Aston Villa 'enquire' about £35m Chelsea defender as Jhon Duran transfer progresses

Villa are looking forward to a Champions League campaign next term after finishing fourth last season. Emery’s team appeared to run out of energy in the final weeks of the season given the demands placed on them by the Europa Conference League and injuries suffered throughout the year.

While Villa have already been busy at the start of the summer window, it’s fair to say Monchi is doing everything in his power to ensure Villa can still recruit impressively despite the restrictions placed on them.

Here are four key things Villa must avoid in the coming weeks and months…

KEEPING THE CRUCIAL TWO

There was a sense of inevitability about Luiz’s future once the dust settled on the season. Monchi had already travelled to Turin to speak to Juventus officials and out of the club's most prized assets, Luiz's exit makes the most sense.

It doesn't bear thinking about Villa lining up next season without either Emi Martinez - the best goalkeeper in the world - or Ollie Watkins - a player Villa simply can not replace due to financial constraints. It left Luiz as one of the club’s most sellable assets this month.

Luiz’s value has arguably peaked because he has two years left on his deal. Villa simply can’t sell either Martinez or Watkins this summer, not only because Luiz’s departure comes as a huge blow, but because they are both irreplaceable in this window.

It also appears that Villa wanted to make at least one big sale before July and given the interest in Luiz, he was the quickest sale Villa could sanction. Of course, the deal is not complete yet, but clearly Villa accepted that Luiz would have to be sacrificed ahead of the likes of Martinez and Watkins.

MAKING ROOM IN THE SQUAD

Luiz and Duran - who also appears destined to leave the club this summer - won't be the only two players to leave Emery's squad in this window. It's important that Villa continue to raise funds and make room for the players which Emery wants to sign.

Villa will listen to offers for Diego Carlos as he is one of the highest earners in the squad. If he were to depart, Emery would have to sign another centre-back.

Meanwhile, Villa want to recruit a new left-back and have expressed an interest in signing Ian Maatsen. At the start of last summer, Villa were willing to part with Lucas Digne, but the left-back stepped up and enjoyed an impressive campaign. He was one of the club's most consistent players last term, but the same couldn't be said for Alex Moreno, who endured a stop-start season.

Leander Dendoncker and Cameron Archer are both returning to Villa this summer and will likely be moved on.

Villa will be able to name 21 players in their squad for the Champions League, four of which being homegrown players, plus an additional four who are "club-trained". Emery named 22 players for the Europa Conference League, which leaves little space for new signings unless those who come into the side are direct replacements for sales.

CHASE FOR PRIORITY TARGETS

Conor Gallagher is said to be one of Villa's priority targets this month, but they face competition from Tottenham. The 24-year-old is currently at the Euros with England and made it clear that he wants to concentrate on the tournament rather than his future.

He has a year left on his current Chelsea deal, but Chelsea will still reportedly demand £50m for him in the summer window. Villa have also been credited with an interest in Everton's Amadou Onana, but with Ross Barkley and McKennie expected to join Emery's squad, it's hard to see more than one more midfielder signing on.

Monchi will continue to work around the clock to give himself the best chance of landing Emery's top targets. Villa are a very attractive club for many reasons and it's crucial they supplement the squad with the right personnel despite their financial constraints.

DURAN'S TRANSFER DOMINO

Earlier this week, Chelsea were given permission to discuss personal terms with Duran as the Blues carry out background checks on the striker. The 20-year-old's future will also be key to Villa's bid to recruit from Chelsea this summer, with Maatsen of interest, as first reported by the Telegraph.

Their report explains that Villa will only sign players from Chelsea this summer if Duran completes a move to Stamford Bridge. Left-back Maatsen would be an excellent signing for Villa if they manage to attract him following his impressive loan spell at Borussia Dortmund last term.

Maatsen has a £35million release clause in his contract that Dortmund are not willing to meet, which has opened the door to Villa and other interested clubs. The deal between Villa and Chelsea for Duran is said to be 'broadly agreed', but there are hurdles to overcome.

If Villa can offload Duran to Chelsea, not only would they boost their financial position, it could also give them the edge on rival clubs who also hold an interest in Maatsen.

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