Even though the 2024/25 Premier League season has only just finished, anticipation has already turned toward the future, and clubs are already strengthening their squads ahead of next season. With the transfer window here and open, plenty of the top-flight teams are making moves in order to mount an assault on the title next term. Chelsea have beaten a whole host of clubs to the signature of Ipswich Town striker Liam Delap, while newly minted champions Liverpool have brought in Jeremie Fringpong from Bayer Leverkusen to replace Real Madrid-bound Trent Alexander-Arnold.
The Reds are also rumoured to be on the prowl for another Leverkusen man in the form of Florian Wirtz. Arne Slot is reportedly offering upwards of £100m for the German international, but so far Die Werkself remain unmoved. One entity that certainly is impressed, though, is online betting sites, which have quickly reacted to Liverpool’s ambition in the transfer market by installing Liverpool as the favorites to win the title once again next season.
The latest online sports betting at Bovada odds currently prices the reigning champions as the 2/1 favorites to successfully defend their crown next term. They are closely followed by the likes of Arsenal and Manchester City, both of whom are priced just behind them at 9/4. All three are expected to spend heavily this summer in a bid to compete both domestically and on the continental stage, but not all clubs are so lucky, as the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules could hinder their ambition in the transfer market.
What is PSR?
Introduced in the 2015-16 season, PSR was designed to promote financial stability and prevent reckless overspending among clubs. Under the current rules, teams are allowed to post a maximum loss of £105 million over a rolling three-year period. The rules are supposed to act as a safeguard to ensure clubs do not risk their financial health chasing success on the pitch, as we have seen with the likes of Leeds United over the years.
PSR has come in for plenty of criticism. Critics argue that the rules create somewhat of a closed shop, whereby only the biggest teams in the league can compete due to their huge financial turnover year on year. Teams looking to break through the glass ceiling and disrupt the status quo, meanwhile, are unable to spend as they would like to, causing them to fall out of contention. Here are five such teams that find themselves testing on the brink of breaking PSR rules next season.
Aston Villa
The rise of Aston Villa over the last three years has been one of the biggest stories in European football. When Unai Emery took over the club from Steven Gerrard, they were languishing on the brink of the relegation zone. Since then, however, their Spanish tactician has masterminded a top-four finish and a run to the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals, a run that was only ended by eventual champions Paris Saint-Germain
This is crazy, PSG were up 5-1 on aggregate in the first half, and Aston Villa have scored 3 straight goals to cut the lead to 1 👀🍿#ChampionsLeague
— Bovada (@BovadaOfficial) April 15, 2025
Last season was one of the best in recent memory for the Villains. However, their exploits on the continental stage meant that they had somewhat less to offer in the Premier League, and Villa duly finished outside of the top five after losing to Manchester United on the final day of the season. As such, they now find themselves on the edge of PSR compliance.
The club reported a substantial loss of £119.6m in their accounts for the financial year ending May 2023. That number was down to £85.4m for this season, and the lack of any Champions League money next season will hurt significantly.
The club has been proactive in attempting to offset some of these losses. They sold key players like Douglas Luiz to Juventus for £42 million and Jhon Duran for £70m back in January. Further sales could be required in order to stay compliant, and that could hurt Villa’s chances for next season. Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez is one player who could be on his way, as could striker Ollie Watkins.
Burnley
Burnley were promoted to the Premier League last season, securing an immediate return after their relegation the year before. They face unique challenges with PSR compliance as clubs promoted from the second tier often operate under stricter financial constraints compared to more established teams. It is thought that they need to make a £20m profit in the transfer market this summer in order to comply with the rules.
That could be difficult for the Clarets, especially if they wish to attempt to avoid the drop this season. In each of the last two Premier League campaigns, all three newly promoted sides have suffered an immediate relegation back to the Championship. In order to try and bridge that gap to more established sides, Burnley would need to spend money on new signings, but it appears that will be an impossibility.
Leeds United
Leeds United, like Burnley, return to the Premier League after winning the Championship last term. As such, they too have financial vulnerabilities carried over, but they aren’t thought to be as serious as their rivals from across the Pennines.
Despite them teetering on the brink of PSR compliance, the Yorkshire club will feel that they don’t have to spend too heavily to compete next season. Players such as Wilfried Gnonto, Daniel James, and Junior Firpo were all brought in with the ambition of competing in the top flight rather than the EFL, and they will have huge responsibilities on their shoulders next season.