Ollie Watkins could leave Aston Villa in the final few days of the summer transfer window which has seen Unai Emery identify several possible replacement
Christian Kofane is the latest striker to be approached by Aston Villa as a potential replacement for Ollie Watkins
Christian Kofane is the latest striker to be approached by Aston Villa as a potential replacement for Ollie Watkins(Image: (Photo by Jörg Schüler/Bayer 04 Leverkusen via Getty Images))
Bayer Leverkusen's Christian Kofane is the latest striker to have been identified by Aston Villa as a potential Ollie Watkins replacement. According to The Athletic, Unai Emery's side have made an approach to the German club, who do not wish to sell the 20-year-old.
Villa are said to be long-term admirers of Kofane but Leverkusen do not intend to let him leave even after contact between the two clubs. Their pursuit of a striker ramping up after Ollie Watkins made clear his desire to join Saudi Pro League outfit Al Hilal.
A £45million offer has been rejected for Watkins by Villa with Crystal Palace's Jean-Phillipe Mateta and Nicolas Jackson of Chelsea also identified as potential additions should the 30-year-old make the move to the Middle East.
The offer to Palace for Mateta fell significantly below their £25m valuation with Villa also weighing up a move for AC Milan's Rafael Leao as several attacking targets are being looked at.
Jackson appears the most likely of the four possible additions to actually join as Chelsea want to sell the Senegal international permanently. They are looking for a fee in the region of £65m having already raised a considerable amount in player sales.
Villa have also been forced to sanction some big exits with Youri Tielemans, Ezri Konsa and Morgan Rogers all departing for other Premier League sides. Over £200m has been raised from those three with Joao Gomes, Johan Manzambi and Matteo Ruggeri joining.
Alejandro Garnacho and Aaron Wan-Bissaka have also arrived on loan deals that are expected to become permanent at the end of the season.
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