Villa's only significant permanent signing was striker Evann Guessand from Nice for around 26 million pounds, with additional add-ons pushing the fee higher. The club also sold academy product Jacob Ramsey to Newcastle United for around 40 million pounds, helping Villa meet the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) and UEFA's stricter squad cost regulations. To navigate their limited spending power, Villa resorted to loan signings, bringing in Liverpool's Harvey Elliott and Manchester United's Jadon Sancho, alongside free agent Victor Lindelof.
The Birmingham club faced a fine from UEFA in July for breaching squad cost ratio rules and risked being blocked from registering new players for the Europa League if they failed to achieve a positive transfer balance by the end of the window. Additionally, Villa's wages-to-revenue ratio stood at 96 percent in the 2023-24 season, compounding their financial constraints.
Konsa, currently on international duty with England, expressed his frustration with the situation. "It is crazy. I don't understand it myself, but from the outside looking in, it doesn't look too good. I know that. I know it's really killed us this transfer window," he said.
Despite the challenges, Konsa praised the club's late additions on transfer deadline day. "I definitely didn't watch that. I knew signing players was going to be difficult, so I didn't look at deadline day. Around eight o'clock, I went on Aston Villa's Twitter and saw that we signed three players who are really good and have Premier League experience. I think that's what we needed."
Villa have had a difficult start to the season, picking up just one point - a goalless draw against Newcastle - from their opening three matches, and are yet to score. However, Konsa remains optimistic.
"We've got a great squad, I believe in our squad. I believe in our manager. Hopefully, the boys who have come in can really help us and push us on," said the England international.
Manchester City have suffered yet another injury setback, with defender John Stones pulling out of the England squad ahead of their upcoming World Cup qualifiers due to a muscle injury.
Manchester United have been hit with another injury concern ahead of their crucial Manchester derby clash after defender Diogo Dalot withdrew from the Portugal squad due to muscle discomfort.
Alejandro Garnacho is hoping to reignite his career following a dramatic deadline-day switch from Manchester United to Premier League rivals Chelsea.
German midfielder Ilkay Gundogan has completed a free transfer from Manchester City to Turkish champions Galatasaray, signing a contract until the end of the 2026/27 season.
