For Chelsea and several other clubs concerned about their compliance with the Premier League’s profitability and sustainability rules, Sunday is an important day.
That is because it marks the end of their financial year, and, in accounting terms, means that they must show that the allowable losses over a three year period do not exceed ₤105 million.
To comply with this there have already been several swap deals involving reserve and academy players, with clubs exploiting a loophole.
Any sale can be booked as a pure profit, whilst the cost of an acquisition can be amortised over the length of a player’s contract.
Chelsea, for example, have already sold Ian Maatsen to Aston Villa for ₤35 million, and bought Omari Kellyman in return.
They could potentially be involved in more such deals as they try to comply with the rules, although should agreement be reached in Sunday, because it is not a working day, they will be registered on Monday.
