Transfer market could be suppressed, Ashworth warns

Dan Ashworth spent six years as the FA’s director of elite development

Transfers involving Premier League clubs could be suppressed as a result of the disruption caused by the coronavirus, Brighton technical director Dan Ashworth has warned.

Earlier this week, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer told Sky Sports News he hopes Manchester United remain in a financial position to exploit the market when football and the business of transfers return.

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But Ashworth believes the transfer landscape for most Premier League clubs will be dictated by whether or not the season can be completed, following the indefinite suspension of football due to the spread of the pandemic.

1:06

Brighton chief executive Paul Barber says the club were due to lose a significant amount of money this year regardless of coronavirus, and if the season doesn’t resume, those losses will nearly double

Brighton chief executive Paul Barber says the club were due to lose a significant amount of money this year regardless of coronavirus, and if the season doesn’t resume, those losses will nearly double

Asked if he thinks a post-coronavirus transfer market could be suppressed, Ashworth said: “I think it depends on whether this season resumes or not – and whether there are significant losses for Premier League and Championship clubs.

“If you go under the assumption that there will be no more play this season [and there are significant losses], then yes, absolutely, I think it will be suppressed.

“It’s a worldwide market now, not just England and Europe, it’s worldwide. And it (coronavirus) seems to have had an impact on pretty much every country and every club worldwide.

“If we do come back like we all hope we will – and those losses are minimised – then I would expect the transfer window to be similar to other transfer windows.”

7:24

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is confident Manchester United will be able to spend money in the transfer window when football returns

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is confident Manchester United will be able to spend money in the transfer window when football returns

‘We’ll be resourceful’

Ashworth, who left his role with the Football Association to become Brighton technical director last season, says the Seagulls will have no choice but to operate shrewdly in the post-coronavirus transfer market.

“As soon as we know what’s going to happen we need to be ready to act,” he said.

9:52

Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta has revealed the club are preparing for various scenarios regarding their activity in the transfer window once it opens

Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta has revealed the club are preparing for various scenarios regarding their activity in the transfer window once it opens

“All of the clubs across the country and across Europe are in a similar situation.

“We’ll be resourceful. We’ll work [our way through the market] as cleverly as we can with the cards we have been dealt, and we’ll just get on with it.

“Nobody quite knows what are going to be the financial implications of COVID-19, so, if we get back? How we get back? What might the implications be? Will it be behind closed doors?”

“Let’s hope this is just for one season and the impacts are minimised, and everyone can cut their cloth accordingly for this year and move forwards.”

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