Villa’s current PSR constraints mean the club would only be able to bring in Igor Thiago if a player-exchange agreement can be reached with Brentford.

That’s according to former Aston Villa, Everton, and Aberdeen CEO Keith Wyness, who told Football Insider that Ollie Watkins could potentially head back to Brentford as part of the arrangement. Thiago has emerged as a key target for both Villa and Tottenham after an impressive campaign with the Bees, scoring 11 goals in 14 matches.

The Brazilian striker has played a vital role in Keith Andrews’ encouraging start as Brentford manager, with the team sitting 13th in the table and eight points clear of the relegation zone.

Villa’s PSR challenge
Wyness, who now runs a consultancy advising top clubs, believes Villa’s financial restrictions will make a traditional transfer unlikely. “Given Villa’s PSR issues, the only realistic route would be a swap,” he said. “Ollie originally came from Brentford, so a return might make sense all around. That’s the kind of structure I could see working.”

He added that a straight cash deal is improbable and questioned whether Thiago is the right solution for Spurs at this stage. “A player swap or a player-plus-cash package from Villa feels more viable, and it might suit all parties,” Wyness suggested.

Watkins back in form
Watkins recently ended his 11-match goal drought with a brace in Villa’s 4-3 win over Brighton. With Villa making only a handful of summer additions, the 29-year-old remains central to their attacking output as he pushes for a place in England’s World Cup squad.

Unai Emery is still seeking reinforcements, especially with loan moves for Harvey Elliott and Jadon Sancho failing to deliver the expected impact.