Times: UEFA will strictly review player swap deals between Chelsea and Villa

According to the Times, UEFA will strictly review player swap transactions between Chelsea and Villa to ensure that the transfer fee is not artificially raised. In recent years, such player swap transactions involving high transfer fees have been conducted between multiple Premier League teams, which some competitors believe are intended to artificially increase transfer income to comply with profit and sustainability rules. Earlier this month, UEFA had lowered the value of at least one player deal involving Chelsea and Villa.

Chelsea reached a four-season settlement with UEFA, while Villa had three as the two clubs violated financial regulations, which were stricter than the Premier League rules. It is understood that UEFA will continue to review all such player swap transactions, but given that both Chelsea and Villa are bound by a settlement agreement, UEFA will conduct a more stringent scrutiny of the two clubs. After announcing heavy penalties for Chelsea and Villa this month, UEFA said it had reviewed "deals involving player swaps and requested specific adjustments to the club's financial accounts.

Last summer, Chelsea signed Omari Kellyman from Villa for 19 million pounds, but at the age of 19 he has not made his first-team debut. However, Ian Mattson, produced by Chelsea academy, moved to Villa for 37.5 million pounds and played 29 Premier League games for the team last season. Both Chelsea and Villa agreed that they would be banned from a season of European competition if the settlement agreement is violated.