Aston Villa look set to confirm the departure of another of their youth talents with Chelsea close to completing a deal.
It is no secret that Aston Villa and Chelsea are two of the Premier League clubs most concerned regarding the June 30th PSR deadline.
Both clubs have been trying to raise funds in order to get their finances in order ready to submit to the Premier League, with Villa having already sold 20-year-old youth product Tim Iroegbunam to Everton for £9 million.
This move saw Unai Emery‘s side sign Lewis Dobbin in return for a similar fee; the two players swapping clubs both being academy products significant as they represent pure profit in accounting terms.
Now, it looks as though 18-year-old Omari Kellyman is set to join Chelsea for £19 million, with The Villans signing Ian Maatsen in return.
Villa themselves signed Kellyman as a 16-year-old, paying Derby County £500,000 through a tribunal in a move that left Wayne Rooney fuming.
Omari Kellyman sale to Aston Villa annoyed Wayne Rooney
Rooney had a stint as manager of Villa’s fierce rivals Birmingham City last season before being sacked with the Blues on their way to League One.
However, the former Manchester United striker was handed his break in management at Derby County and it was at the Rams that he was forced to sell a 16-year-old Kellyman to Villa against his will.
Derby were in financial ruin and were forced to sell a number of players in order to keep the club afloat whilst themselves being under a transfer embargo.
Many clubs capitalised on this, with Crystal Palace singing 19-year-old young striker Luke Plange, Chelsea signing 18-year-old Dylan Williams and Villa swooping to secure the services of the highly-rated Kellyman.
Rooney vented his frustration following confirmation of Villa signing Kellyman, as he said in 2022: “I lost a player this morning [Wednesday], a 16-year-old local lad. I got a text message this morning that a deal had been agreed with Aston Villa.
“That is nine players throughout January we have lost when I was assured we didn’t have to lose any. So it is tough, but we keep fighting.”
The newly-appointed Plymouth Argyle manager went on to add: “There is money for Luke Plange, Dylan Williams, Omari Kellyman come in when I was assured we had the funds to get through the season without them players going out.
“To me it looks like we have got the proof of funds, so will that lift the embargo and allow me to bring some free agents in?”
Kellyman deal sees Aston Villa turn significant profit
If Villa are to complete a deal that sees Kellyman join Chelsea for £19 million then it will represent a £18.5 million profit on a player who has made just six senior appearances in the two-and-a-half years since joining.
Whilst it is difficult to argue against the fact that this is very good business for the club, it does continue a concerning trend of Villa selling their most talented youth players rather than provide a pathway to the first-team.
With Iroegbunam joining Everton and Kellyman all but confirmed as a Chelsea player, they add to a growing list of youth players leaving Villa Park rather than breaking through.
Last summer a 19-year-old Carney Chukwuemeka signed for Chelsea, whilst a 21-year-old Cameron Archer – who has now returned due to a relegation clause – joined Sheffield United.
21-year-old Jaden Philogene also left the club to sign for Hull City, meaning Jacob Ramsey is the only youth player of note to really be given a chance at Villa in recent seasons.
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