Ollie Watkins could leave Aston Villa.
(Credit: Imago/Hasan Karim)
Villa News Speaking to Ian Darke
Thu 3 July 2025 20:10, UK
Ollie Watkins faces an uncertain future at Aston Villa.
The forward has struggled to convince Unai Emery that he is a reliable option to lead the line regularly, over the likes of Marcus Rashford and Jhon Duran.
Arsenal had a £60million bid for Watkins rejected in the winter transfer window, and they could revive their interest.
Manchester United have also entered the race to sign the Villa striker, but are yet to make an official bid.
Ollie Watkins' Premier League stats for Aston Villa last season.
Watkins’ league stats last season. (Credit: Imago)
Watkins could be forced out by Aston Villa
The Villans’ Profit and Sustainability issues have been well documented in recent weeks, and Emery and Monchi face a difficult window.
Iconic commentator Ian Darke would not be surprised if the striker left Villa Park this summer due to the financial position of the B6 outfit.
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Speaking exclusively to Villa News, he said: “I would be surprised if he went for under £50million.
“They rejected £60m, that would be the start of a negotiating ploy, if Villa are on a tight budget as reports suggest, they would probably in the end have to get the deal done for Watkins, if their idea is that they can do without him.
“From what one hears, it does seem, without anybody saying it, that there is a slightly strained relationship between the manager and the player; they are not exactly buddies or seeing things in quite the same way.
“It would not be the biggest shock in the world, looking in from the outside, if Watkins were to go.
“Villa might say we would take £60m, but they end up, these deals are done in such a complicated way now that how you structure the deal can get around the problem.
“That all kicks into it, how the fee is kicks into a club’s cash flow situation, they would probably want it coming in to balance the books on the PSR and stuff like that.
“They are pushing it a bit, I would say, asking for £60m, for a guy who turns 30 in December.”
Aston Villa
Watkins may have played his final game at Villa Park. (Credit: Imago)
Villa would have to replace Watkins adequately
Watkins has emerged as one of the best attackers in the Premier League in recent years.
The 29-year-old has notched over 15 goals in the last three campaigns in the top-flight, so if he did depart, Emery and Co would need to find a replacement who can match that impact.
If they cannot, then there is no point in selling Watkins, despite the friction between the former Brentford star and Emery.
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