Aston Villa's £100k-per-week ace may be sold to comply with financial regulations

Aston Villa are reportedly considering the sale of Brazilian defender Diego Carlos this summer, as they look to balance their books ahead of their highly-anticipated Champions League campaign next season. The Telegraph reported on 20 May that the club is open to entertaining offers for the 31-year-old centre-back.

The Villans are set to receive a £50 million windfall from their Champions League qualification, but the club's hierarchy is still mulling over the potential departure of Carlos, who earns a substantial £100,000 per week. The decision to consider selling the defender is not only influenced by his wages but also by the need to adhere to Financial Fair Play regulations.

Carlos has been a mainstay in Aston Villa's lineup this season, featuring in 38 matches across all competitions and clocking up an impressive 2,539 minutes. However, his performances have come under scrutiny, with his defensive statistics falling short of expectations.

In the Premier League, he has won a mere 44% of his aerial duels and 45% of his overall duels, figures that are below par for a central defender of his calibre. Furthermore, his tackle success rate stands at 59.3%, and his passing accuracy is 88.4%, both of which leave room for improvement. His averages of 0.65 interceptions and 3.88 recoveries per 90 minutes place him in the bottom quintile among centre-backs in the league. (Stats from Fotmob)

The potential sale of Carlos is not solely based on his on-field performances but also forms part of a broader strategy orchestrated by Aston Villa's president of football operations, Monchi. The Spaniard, who built his reputation at Sevilla, is renowned for his ability to maximise player value and identify cost-effective replacements.

Villa fans can take solace in the fact that any outgoing player will likely be replaced by a suitable alternative, carefully chosen by Monchi and manager Unai Emery.

At 31, Carlos is entering the twilight of his career, and a significant upturn in his performances seems unlikely. With his contract set to expire at the end of the 2025/26 season, his market value is expected to decline unless he agrees to an extension. Therefore, cashing in on him now could be a shrewd move by the club.

While selling a first-team regular ahead of a crucial Champions League campaign may seem counterintuitive, Aston Villa's decision to consider offers for Diego Carlos appears to be a calculated financial and strategic move.

The club's management, led by Monchi and Emery, is likely to ensure that any departures will be adequately addressed, ensuring the squad remains competitive for the challenges ahead.