How much money Aston Villa could save after Lucas Digne contract development
Lucas Digne is seemingly on the verge of signing a new contract at Aston Villa.
The France international has been an ever-present at Villa Park since joining the claret and blue outfit from Everton back in January 2022.
Despite being replaced at different points by both Alex Moreno and Ian Maatsen, the left-back has always remained professional for the Villans.
As a result, his penning a fresh deal looks set to benefit the B6 club, especially if his wages are to be slashed ready for the new campaign.
If that is to be the case, it would certainly represent a boost to Villa’s finances after what has been a largely uncertain summer to this point.
Digne contract extension to save Aston Villa millions
It has been little secret that Unai Emery’s side are currently under UEFA’s microscope, having already been fined for a financial breach.
Fears remain of breaking the Squad Cost Rules (SCR), which state a overall wage costs must be below 70 per cent of revenue, something the Villans were far from last campaign.
The departure of Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio at the end of their loans, alongside Philippe Coutinho, have helped bring that percentage down already.
- Rashford was on a reported £225k-per-week on loan at Villa Park [Goal.com, 18 March]
- Asensio was on £100k less with a reported £125k-per-week wage [Give Me Sport, 11 March]
- Coutinho was on a sizable £135-a-week despite not playing for Villa since 2023 [Salary Sport, 6 August]
This has also been aided by a fresh contract for Tyrone Mings, who has seemingly dropped his wages from £100k-per-week to a potential £60k.
Now it appears as if Digne could be set to follow suit with a verbal agreement now being reached over fresh terms with the Frenchman on a deal until 2028 [The Athletic, 6 August].
Given that the ex-Everton man is currently on a reported £120k-per-week, there will now be hopes that he also takes a cut moving into the new season.
If the full-back echoes Mings and also takes a £40k weekly drop in pay to £80k, Villa would save themselves a fee in the region of £2.08million per year.
With a three-year contract in the pipeline, a £6.24m saving would certainly represent a sizable boost to finances in the West Midlands.
Aston Villa have Digne and Mings to thank
If both defenders were to follow each other into a £40k-per-week pay cut, as a pair they would save upwards of £12m over three years.
There is no getting away from how much of a boost this could prove to be as the fight continues against the SCR rules that UEFA are imposing.
Add to this the potential departures of the likes of Leon Bailey, Leander Dendoncker and Emi Buendia and the wages to revenue percentage is bound to drop even further.
These new deals could prove to be the catalyst for further change as Monchi continues to work within limited means in B6.
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