The sale of Emiliano Martinez will only intensify Aston Villa’s need to be “creative” in the final days of the transfer window.
Villa’s summer overhaul is far from finished heading towards the 1 September deadline, and Chelsea’s deal for Martinez adds a fresh twist.
Villa have already made more than £250m in player sales, including £117m from Chelsea for Morgan Rogers.
And with the Blues agreeing a £7.5m fee for Martinez, Villa will then take their transfer revenue for this window past the £300m mark once Ollie Watkins joins Al Hilal for £50m, as is expected.
Villa meanwhile have spent almost £140m on five incomings, as well as signing Alejandro Garnacho and Aaron Wan-Bissaka on loan, while Leon Goretzka joined on a free transfer on Thursday.
