‘The deal smells out’ – Premier League now set for rule change after controversial Newcastle transfer
Former Everton and Aston Villa CEO, Keith Wyness, has suggested that Premier League clubs may soon vote to stop transfers like Odysseas Vlachodimos’ move to Newcastle United.
Newcastle found themselves in a challenging situation on June 30, scrambling to avoid a potential points deduction due to Financial Fair Play (FFP) and Profitability and Sustainability Regulations (PSR).
To ease the pressure, they sold Elliot Anderson and Yankuba Minteh, while Nottingham Forest’s backup goalkeeper, Vlachodimos, moved in the opposite direction for a reported fee of £20 million.
Despite being Newcastle’s most expensive goalkeeper signing, Vlachodimos has yet to make the bench this season.
The move drew attention as it mirrored transactions from other clubs looking to navigate financial restrictions.
For instance, Chelsea’s sale of Ian Maatsen to Aston Villa for £38 million also raised eyebrows, particularly as unproven Omari Kellyman went the other way for approximately £20 million. These types of deals have sparked debate among football insiders.
Wyness, speaking to Football Insider, expressed his concerns over these transactions, claiming that the Vlachodimos deal “smells” of PSR manipulation.
He highlighted Newcastle as one of the key clubs engaging in what he termed “creative accounting” to work around PSR regulations. However, he acknowledged that they are not alone in this practice, mentioning Aston Villa, Everton, and Nottingham Forest as other participants in similar deals.
Wyness noted that while these transfers remain within the current rules, he believes changes could be on the horizon.
He speculated that by the end of next summer, clubs might vote on potential rule adjustments to prevent these types of deals. He emphasized that any changes would need to come from the clubs themselves, as the Premier League only enforces the rules set by its shareholders, which consist of the 20 member clubs.
Despite Wyness’ concerns, he reiterated that clubs like Newcastle, while pushing the boundaries, are operating within the framework of existing regulations.
However, if the majority of clubs decide to curb these types of deals, they will need to collaborate and vote for changes in the Premier League’s rulebook. As of now, such deals remain legal, but the future may hold tighter regulations around financial management and player transfers.
Read Also: Marc Guehi speaks ferocious as Crystal Palace chief Steve Parish’s gamble backfires with Newcastle
Read Also: ‘He’s not ok’ – Big Concern for Newcastle star after being ruled out for 5 months
