Aston Villa stars Ollie Watkins, Morgan Rogers and Jacob Ramsey.placeholder image
Aston Villa stars Ollie Watkins, Morgan Rogers and Jacob Ramsey. | Getty Images
Aston Villa may still see high-profile Villa Park exits this summer
The Premier League season is just a couple of weeks away and excitement is building across the country ahead of what looks set to be another highly entertaining season.
Aston Villa are preparing to enter into the season with a Europa League campaign on the horizon, after Unai Emery’s side finished in sixth place in controversial circumstances on the final day of last campaign.
One of the biggest fears faced by any football club in August is the future of key players remaining unclear until deep into the transfer window. It is part of what makes the window such a spectacle, as clubs begin the new season still unsure of what their full squad may be come September. Villa could find themselves on the wrong side of this as multiple star players continue to be linked with summer moves. One Villa hero could see a move go through before the end of the window.
Ollie Watkins to Newcastle speculation emerges
Another club have come to the fore and a move to Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United could be ‘on’, report The Express. The Toon are on the search for a new No.9 as speculation around the future of Alexander Isak intensifies and recent reports have suggested that Watkins may be on their radar, alongside Benjamin Sesko and Yoane Wissa.
The Express’s report suggests that Villa may be willing to sell Watkins in order to fund a major striker purchase of their own. The belief is that the 29-year-old is valued at around £60million by the Villans if he were to be sold this summer and the report continues that Watkins may be interested in a new challenge after growing ‘restless’ due to persistent transfer speculation.
Villa may sell Watkins to fund £80m Nicolas Jackson move
Emery is keen on reuniting with Nicolas Jackson, whom he managed at Villarreal, the report continues. Chelsea are demanding a massive £80m for the Senegalese striker and so the sale of Watkins may be the only way to fund this, something Emery is reportedly prepared for.
Jackson is said to be Villa’s primary target but the Blues are currently remaining firm on their valuation, a far cry from the £32m they paid Villarreal for the 24-year-old’s services just two years ago. Emery evidently feels he can get the best out of Jackson, who has been inconsistent at Stamford Bridge while still managing to reach 30 goals for the club, 24 in the Premier League, across his two seasons.
Jackson recently said of the transfer speculation around his future: "I'm on a mission. It's up to the coach to make his choices. I focus solely on my work. I'm a Chelsea player. The future belongs to God. If there are any changes, you'll know. For now, I'm focused on my preparation.
“It's football, there are ups and downs. Last season we won two trophies. There were difficult moments, moments of glory. Every season is like that. But the most important thing is to stay focused, to learn, and to grow in the face of adversity."
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