Aston Villa have no intention to part ways with Ollie Watkins before the summer window closes on Monday, September 1 (7pm)
Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins
Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins(Image: Getty)
Aston Villa are not under pressure to sell any of their prized assets in the final days of the summer transfer window.
Reports continue to link Ollie Watkins with a move away from the club, but senior sources at Villa have told BirminghamLive that the forward will be staying.
Selling Watkins is simply not on Villa’s agenda, as the club will once again be relying on his goals this season.
The England international scored 16 times in the Premier League last term, following a return of 19 goals in the top flight the year before.
Following Jacob Ramsey’s £39 million move to Newcastle United, Villa have now generated around £285 million in transfer sales since June 2024.
After narrowly missing out on Champions League qualification on the final day of last season, the club put together a summer strategy to retain the players Unai Emery considers irreplaceable.
Ahead of the opening game of the season against Newcastle, and before Ramsey’s move was completed, Emery was asked whether Villa would need to sanction any further major sales before the end of the transfer window.
“I think it’s not necessary,” he replied. “Of course, every deal we can do to maintain balance is good, but I think we are always in good balance.
"Last year we needed to sell, two years ago as well, but more or less, when we are selling, we can replace and maintain a good balance. Not like the top teams, but we are in good balance. And I think now, of course, we are continuing to stay balanced, but not at big risk.”
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