5 Premier League clubs in danger of breaching PSR & UEFA FFP this summer

 

Football may be a beautiful game, but its financial rulebook is anything but simple. The Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) and UEFA’s Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations have become a complex puzzle for clubs to solve, requiring a delicate balance of revenue, spending, and player trading.

As we head into the summer of 2025, five Premier League clubs—Aston Villa, Manchester United, Chelsea, Nottingham Forest, and Wolverhampton Wanderers—are walking a financial tightrope, with potential breaches of PSR and UEFA FFP looming large.

 Here’s a deep dive into their predicaments and what it could mean for their futures.

Aston Villa

Aston Villa’s return to the Champions League in 2024-25 brought in an estimated £100 million, a significant boost to their coffers. However, the club is reportedly operating close to the PSR limit, which allows losses of £105 million over three years. Failure to secure European football for 2025-26—potentially hinging on their final matchday result against Manchester United—could leave a gaping hole in their budget.

UEFA’s stricter squad cost ratio rule, limiting spending on wages, transfers, and agent fees to 70% of revenue by 2025-26, adds further pressure. To comply, Villa may need to sell high-value assets. Emiliano Martinez, visibly emotional after a recent Villa Park match, is rumored to be on the move, with Ollie Watkins, Morgan Rogers, and Jacob Ramsey also potential departures. Manager Unai Emery faces a challenging summer as Villa aim to balance ambition with financial prudence.

Manchester United

Manchester United’s financial woes have been laid bare in 2025. The club admitted to fans in January that losses exceeding £300 million over three years are unsustainable, far surpassing the PSR threshold. Missing out on Champions League qualification and losing the Europa League final cost an estimated £100 million in revenue, while their 2022-23 squad cost ratio of 86% already exceeds UEFA’s incoming 70% limit.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s cost-cutting measures, including staff reductions, have been ruthless, but player sales are now critical. Marcus Rashford, Antony, and Alejandro Garnacho are reportedly on the transfer list, and even fan favorites like Kobbie Mainoo and Bruno Fernandes could be sacrificed if lucrative offers arrive. With £62.5 million already spent on Matheus Cunha from Wolves, United’s spending spree must be matched by exits to avoid PSR or UEFA sanctions, which could include fines or points deductions.

Chelsea

Chelsea’s qualification for the 2024-25 Champions League, their first under Todd Boehly’s ownership, provides a much-needed financial lifeline. However, the club’s £1 billion-plus spending since 2022 has raised eyebrows. Creative accounting—such as selling two hotels and their women’s team—helped them navigate PSR, but UEFA doesn’t recognize these maneuvers, putting Chelsea at risk of FFP breaches.

A 2022-23 squad cost ratio of 90% and a reported UEFA fine in April 2025 for exceeding spending limits signal trouble. A repeat offense could lead to a Champions League ban, a catastrophic blow for Boehly’s project. New Premier League rules limiting contract amortization to five years further complicate matters, increasing Chelsea’s annual costs. Player sales or reduced spending will be essential to avoid UEFA’s wrath.

see also: Bruno Fernandes 'REJECTS' £200MILLION offer to join Saudi giants Al-Hilal - but key detail in report spells trouble for Man United

Nottingham Forest

Nottingham Forest’s qualification for the 2024-25 UEFA Conference League is a milestone, but it brings financial challenges. The club’s four-point deduction for breaching PSR in 2023-24 highlighted their tightrope walk, and their modest European revenue pales in comparison to Champions League earnings. UEFA’s rejection of profit-boosting player swaps, like the 2024 Elliot Anderson-Odysseas Vlachodimos deal with Newcastle, means Forest’s reported £100 million in player sale profits won’t fully count toward FFP compliance.

Football finance expert Stefan Borson warned that Forest’s rising wage bill, driven by dual Premier League and European commitments, could push them over UEFA’s 70% squad cost ratio. Selling star midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White may be their only way to balance the books and avoid further sanctions.

Wolverhampton Wanderers

Wolves’ latest accounts revealed a £127.6 million loss over three years, exceeding the PSR limit. Exemptions for infrastructure, women’s football, and community investments kept them compliant, but they’re dangerously close to the edge. Extending their accounting period to June 30, 2025, suggests strategic timing, with Matheus Cunha’s expected sale to Manchester United set to bolster their PSR calculations.

If Wolves qualify for European competition in 2025-26, UEFA’s squad cost ratio rules will scrutinize their finances further. Past sales of Ruben Neves and Matheus Nunes staved off penalties, but more exits may be needed to maintain compliance. Wolves’ financial discipline will be tested as they navigate both domestic and potential European demands.