The assumption from most had been that the signing of Nicolas Jackson this window, or, indeed, any permanent signing of a Chelsea player, would impact Aston Villa’s whopping profit on the departure of Morgan Rogers to Stamford Bridge in late July.
Where UEFA deems clubs to have engaged in a ‘player exchange transaction’, they require profits to be downgraded to the net cash difference in fees. That would be bad for both clubs, with each needing to get losses down under their settlement agreements with the European governing body.
UEFA adjusted rules around such transactions to capture deals made within 45 days of one another, something which would seem to deter Villa from buying from Chelsea: Rogers’ deal completed less than 45 days before this transfer window’s end.
Yet The Athletic has learned the timing of such deals is just one factor considered rather than a determinant on its own, and a purchase from Chelsea this window would not automatically see UEFA deem the two deals of this summer as equivalent to a player exchange transaction. Similarly, a deal made outside of a 45-day window could still be deemed a player exchange transaction, if other factors listed under the rule are present.
There is, then, room for manoeuvre. Villa’s continued pursuit of Jackson has been proof enough.
