premier League and EFL ‘edging closer’ to £900m deal as statement released
The latest news as talks are being held between the Premier League and EFL over a deal which could impact Aston Villa, Wolves, Birmingham City and West Brom
The Premier League is reportedly “edging closer” to a six-year deal worth around £900 million with the English Football League.
A deal has been discussed as the government introduces an Independent Football Regulator. The Premier League are thought to be willing to strike a settlement instead of having one imposed on them.
It has previously been reported that EFL chairman Rick Parry is keen on EFL clubs getting a 25 percent share of the Premier League’s pooled broadcast money. According to The Mirror, the new proposal will see clubs get around 21 percent, while not reaching the target, it is said to be around double of the current package.
Talks are said to have intensified due to the current league position of all three promoted clubs in the Premier League so far this season. Burnley, Sheffield United and Luton Town sit in the bottom three without a win, which shows the gap between the Premier League and Championship.
In the last five years, both Aston Villa and Wolves have achieved promotion back to the Premier League and kept their places in the league. Wolves won the Championship in 2018, while Villa gained promotion via the play-offs the following year. In light of these worries, Villa is alleged to have held conversations with the government over the implementation of the new football regulator.
It’s about attempting to reproduce that for Birmingham City and West Bromwich Albion. Albion are one of five Championship clubs that have received parachute payments after being demoted from the Premier League at the end of the 2020/21 season.
There is said to be a keenness from the EFL to scrap the payments. It is however said that they will remain, but in a different guise.
Commenting on talks taking place between the EFL and Championship, the EFL released a statement on Thursday. “As several important issues are still to be resolved, it was made clear at the meeting that nothing has been agreed with either the Premier League or its clubs,” it read. “As such EFL clubs were not required to vote or take a decision on any matter, but instead held a proactive debate on the current status of the discussions.
“To maintain momentum, the League will now enter into targeted consultation with all EFL clubs in smaller groups, to consider additional context and detail of the proposal. Club views will be collated to inform the discussions with the Premier League which have been ongoing throughout 2023, as we seek a speedy and satisfactory conclusion to improve the financial health of EFL clubs.”
