Spanish newspaper Marca sound hugely impressed with Aston Villa’s purchase of Jonathan Kodjia. The 26 year old has signed from Bristol City for a fee Marca think is €18m, and it’s that which has caught their eye.
Money in the Premier League has always been a popular topic for the European media, but now it appears that the Championship can also compete.
Outside of the very biggest clubs, a transfer fee of €18m would be very rare in Spain, and almost certainly wouldn’t come unless the club had European football.
Therefore, that a side who were relegated last season can pay such a fee is astonishing for the European media, Marca included. They state that even for England’s second division, money is no problem, and that helps Villa manager Roberto Di Matteo.
Aston Villa have so far this summer spent far more than the vast majority of La Liga clubs, and that’s a worry for Spanish football.