Every time Onana’s price tag rises, the German club cash in through sell-on clauses built into his previous deals. With his value now at €49 million on Transfermarkt, HSV have every reason to keep a close watch on what happens in Birmingham.HSV Hamburg set for another windfall if Amadou Onana leaves Aston VillaThe history of his transfers is quite a story. HSV pocketed 20% of the profit when Lille sold Onana to Everton, banking €5.6 million from that move.

When Aston Villa later bought him from Everton, Lille took 20% of the profit and sent 20% of that share back to Hamburg. This gave the German side another payday, even though Onana hadn’t played for them in five years. Now, Everton hold a 10% sell-on clause with Villa, meaning the structure of the deal ensures HSV will once again get a cut of any profit Villa makes on a sale.The reason these clauses are so valuable is that Onana’s price has shot up so quickly.

He joined HSV for free, moved to Lille for €13.57m, went to Everton for €39.87m, and then signed for Villa in 2024 for £50 million. At the time, that made him the second-most expensive signing in the club’s history. Since each move has been more expensive than the last, it keeps triggering those profit-based payouts.Onana is already being linked with Manchester United, who need a midfielder to take over for Casemiro.

Barcelona, who liked him during his Everton days, could also be an option if he decides to chase his personal goals. Onana hasn’t hidden his desire to play for a world-class club, recently stating: “I’m 24 and I feel like I’ve matured. In the past few months, I’ve played my best football ever.” Meanwhile, Aston Villa seem to be preparing for life without him; they’ve been scouting Galatasaray’s Gabriel Sara, which suggests the club know a summer exit is a real possibility.Should Aston Villa sell Amadou Onana this summer, or does losing him hurt the progress Unai Emery has made?BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND – APRIL 19: Amadou Onana of Aston Villa celebrates victory following the Premier League match between Aston Villa and Sunderland at Villa Park on April 19, 2026 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)From Villa’s side, selling Onana this summer is a tough call that balances financial common sense with on-field risk.

The money situation at Villa Park is hard to overlook. The club have dealt with financial constraints, and a high-profile sale seems almost inevitable in the next window. If United or Barcelona offer well over €60 million, Villa would turn a profit on a player they spent £50 million on, and that money could be used to fix several areas of the squad.However, the cost to the team needs a serious look.

Onana has put in over 1,500 minutes in the Premier League this season, acting as the defensive shield that lets Emery’s more creative players do their thing. Finding someone else with his profile, calm on the ball, only 24, and signed until 2029, isn’t easy to do in one window. While the Gabriel Sara rumours are interesting, Sara is a different type of player, leaning much more toward the attacking side.In my view, Aston Villa should only let Onana go if the price is above £65 million and they already have a direct replacement lined up.

Selling just to balance the accounts, without a clear successor, could break the defensive structure Emery has spent two years building. Aston Villa have made too much progress lately to let money issues force them into taking a step backwards on the pitch.