Aston Villa are braced for interest in their star players this summer... with £50m-rated Jacob Ramsey wanted by Newcastle in January and Arsenal long-term suitors of Douglas Luiz

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Emery and transfer chief Monchi are keen to improve squad again this summer
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Published: 11:48 EDT, 1 March 2024 | Updated: 21:20 EDT, 1 March 2024

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Aston Villa are braced for interest in their star players this summer as the impact of spending rules bites across the league.

Unai Emery’s men are fighting for a place in next season’s Champions League but like a number of Premier League clubs, must manage their finances carefully to stay within the competition’s spending rules.

The points deduction for Everton and possible further penalties for the Goodison Park club and Nottingham Forest have left the division on high alert.

Homegrown midfielder Jacob Ramsey, valued at about £50million, was a target for Newcastle during January and any fee received could be banked as pure profit for PSR (profit and sustainability) purposes as the 22-year-old is a product of the Villa academy.

Brazil international Douglas Luiz has long been admired by Arsenal while Boubacar Kamara would have been certain to attract attention had he not sustained a serious knee injury last month, which will sideline him until the autumn.

Unai Emery's side currently occupy fourth spot and look in good shape to secure Champions League qualification next season

Douglas Luiz (centre) has long been admired by Arsenal, while academy prospect Jacob Ramsey (left) was target for Newcastle in January

Villa sold homegrown players Cameron Archer, Aaron Ramsey and Jaden Philogene for about £40m combined last summer but broke their transfer record to sign Moussa Diaby for about £45m, while new contracts for key men like Ezri Konsa, Tyrone Mings and Ollie Watkins have given the wage bill a hefty hike.

Emery and transfer chief Monchi are desperate to improve the squad again this summer but may have to sell to fund those plans.

Ahead of Saturday’s trip to Luton, Emery is set to include Konsa in the squad following his injury in the win at Sheffield United earlier this year, while fellow centre-back Pau Torres will also travel.

Ollie Watkins Champions League Arsenal