The Premier League has now intervened with a warning after a number of clubs, including Chelsea, Aston Villa, and Everton, reached agreements for their youth players in recent weeks.
The Premier League has forewarned its member clubs that engaging in transactions “concerning” the circumvention of PSR regulations may result in sanctions.
In recent weeks, a number of elite teams have reached agreements with one another to sign a number of academy players. Lewis Dobbin cost £9 million to go from Everton to Aston Villa. For a comparable cost, Tim Iroegbunam relocated in the opposite way. Chelsea has also come under investigation.
Ian Maatsen, defender for the Blues, is expected to pay £37 million to join Unai Emery’s team. Additionally, Chelsea plans to pay about £19 million on Omari Kellyman, a Villa academy standout.
The actions seem to be attempts on the part of a few clubs to move in the right direction with regard to PSR before the financial year ends on June 30. And now the Premier League has intervened.
Jamie Herbert, the Premier League’s head of governance, is said to have emailed each of the 20 top flight clubs, according to The Telegraph. He discloses in it that there are “issues of concern” regarding whether successfully executed transfer deals amount to over £1 million in good faith “arm’s length” agreements.
The Premier League is able to review official records pertaining to talks. In the event that it is determined that the transactions were not properly executed, fair market value regulations may be enforced.
A player’s perceived value is determined by a number of elements, such as age, position, playing statistics, honours, and injury history. Clubs’ “financial state and relative bargaining position” as well as “any urgent need for liquidity” are also closely examined in the interim.
Clubs have also been cautioned by Herbert’s email that, should a particular fee be inflated, they may be required to repay any transfer money, either in full or in part. “For the avoidance of doubt and by way of example only, it shall be a breach of the duties under this rule to act dishonestly towards the league or another club; or engage in conduct that is intended to circumvent these rules or obstruct the board’s investigation of compliance with them,” states Section B.15 of the Premier League’s transfer regulations.
Talks between teams seem to be ongoing, even though the Premier League is expected to closely monitor any transactions. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, a star midfield player for Leicester, has apparently reached an agreement to be sold to Brighton. Leicester has already been punished with violating PSR.
Jakub Moder, a star player for Brighton, is rumoured to transfer in part exchange to the King Power Stadium.