The latest Aston Villa transfer news as Ollie Watkins is linked with a move to Arsenal or Manchester United
Ollie Watkins celebrates scoring for Aston Villa against Manchester City
Ollie Watkins celebrates scoring for Aston Villa against Manchester City(Image: Getty)
View 3 Images
Aston Villa have had a fairly dramatic couple of weeks whjen it comes to the transfer market, and things don't look like settling down any time soon.
Villa hijacked Newcastle United’s move for Johan Manzambi, for a club record £52 million deal after Manchester United activated Youri Tielemans’ £35 million release clause.
Lucas Digne is set to join Paris Saint-Germain after the French club activated the release clause in his contract. Meanwhile, you'd have to have been under a rock to have missed Morgan Rogers completing a British record £117 million transfer to Chelsea.
Joao Gomes of Aston Villa
Joao Gomes of Aston Villa(Image: Getty Images)
View 3 Images
Wolves midfielder Joao Gomes was signed for the same fee that they received for Tielemans, and the controversial addition of Alejandro Garnacho, quickly followed.
The problem Villa have now is striking a balance, one that sees the squad retain a core strength and improvement and equppied for the Champions League.
So far they have added exceptionally well, despite the departures - but there is interest in some of the key figures that remain, like Ezri Konsa, Ollie Watkins and Emi Martinez.
While all of those would be a loss, it's unlikely all three would leave, very unlikely. However, one player is starting to really gain attention in the market - Watkins.
Rumours of a move to Fenerbache have batted around the interest for weeks, seemingly without any real chance of success, but now there is thought to be strong interest from fellow Premier League rivals.
The Europa League champions are thought to have already rejected an approach from Turkish club Fenerbahce. The Turkish outfit were said to be preparing a £35million offer for the England international, but Villa made it clear they would not entertain the bid.
Ollie Watkins of England and Aston Villa
Ollie Watkins of England and Aston Villa(Image: Eddie Keogh - The FA/The FA via Getty Images)
View 3 Images
Watkins a wanted man?
According to The Sun, several clubs across England and Europe are keen on securing Watkins' signature this summer.
Fenerbahce had hoped to tempt the 30-year-old with a three-year contract worth between £7.5million and £8.5million annually.
While Villa firmly communicated their position to the Turkish side, both Manchester United and Arsenal reportedly remain interested in bringing Watkins in to bolster their attacking options, with £ 40 million potentially being put forward to bring Villa to the negotiating table.
With Joshua Zirkzee potentially on his way to Serie A, United could soon have a vacancy for a striker. Watkins would be a proven option, but while the pull of United would be strong, the prospect of joining Arsenal would be especially enticing for Gunners fans. In quotes that have followed him ever since, Watkins, then of Brentford, once said: "I'm an Arsenal fan, so Thierry Henry was my [idol]. He's unbelievable to watch. He was the idol growing up really."
Watkins brought up his love of Arsenal again after scoring against them for Villa, saying: "I'm not sure my grandad or uncle Baz are going to be too happy. They are Arsenal fans and I am an Arsenal fan myself, but I'm buzzing. I am sure they will love it really. I am over the moon."
It's unlikely...
For Villa, they just don't need to sell key players right now and shouldn't be entertaining any bids unless they are bank busters they can't turn down.
Watkins on the move to a fellow Premier League club? I just can't see it happening at this stage of the window, or any other.
Watkins made 56 appearances in all competitions last season, with 16 goals and 10 assists. Those stats are not easily replaced and every signing that attempts to do so would be a gamble.
One thing that is for sure at the moment, Villa probably played their first and last poker hand of the window when they went for Garnacho.
John Townley
John Townley
You can follow our dedicated reporter John Townley on X by clicking here - he follows Villa home and away and offers you comprehensive coverage from matchdays, press conferences and everything that happens in between.
So much happens day to day and sometimes you can struggle to keep on top of the very latest updates as and when they occur - that's why we have produced a daily newsletter which you can sign up to, for free, and which means you'll have a round-up of the key stories land in your email inbox.
You'll also get competition offers and stories around discounts on Villa merchandise.
Sign up to the Villa newsletter here.
WhatsApp: You can also get all your favourite content from BirminghamLive's Villa team on WhatsApp. Click here to sign up for breaking updates about the biggest stories in and around the club.If you prefer reading our Villa stories on your phone, consider downloading the BirminghamLive app, in which you can personalise the content you see by selecting Villa as one of your designated topics. You can get it from Apple here and for Android here.
Social: We have a Facebook page waiting for you with daily updates, some of which we don't post anywhere else - click here
You can also folllow our Villa updates on X - here
Podcast: Our weekly Aston Villa podcast, Claret And Blue, is also available to watch and listen on all major streaming services. You can subscribe to the YouTube channel here, while you can access the podcast on Spotify here and via Apple here.
Midlands Football editor Steve Wollaston said: "We pride ourselves on covering all the topics of interest to Villa fans, from tactics and team news to kit launches and transfer rumours. Signing up for our newsletter means you won't miss anything that's happening at Villa Park and Bodymoor Heath."
Our Villa newsletter is already a huge success, so don't miss out - just sign up today and you will automatically receive all the headline news straight to your phone, tablet or computer.