Watkins could leave Villa before transfer deadline - Emery

What the report says

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery says striker Ollie Watkins could be among several high-profile departures before the summer transfer window closes. BBC Sport reports that Villa have received offers for the England forward, who is being linked with Saudi club Al-Hilal, though Emery said he wants to keep him if possible.

Emery would not guarantee Watkins will remain at Villa Park, saying any exit would need to make sense for the player, the club and the team. The report notes that Villa have already seen a significant turnover this summer, with Ezri Konsa moving to Arsenal, Morgan Rogers joining Chelsea and Youri Tielemans and Lucas Digne also leaving. Watkins, 30, has scored 108 goals for Villa since arriving from Brentford in 2020 and is the club’s record Premier League scorer.

The BBC says the potential departure of Watkins would add to a wider reshaping of the squad after Villa’s Europa League-winning side. The article also covers uncertainty around goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, whose proposed move to Juventus fell through, and Villa’s move to sign Japan international Zion Suzuki as a new first-choice goalkeeper. Emery said Suzuki was brought in for the present, not just the future, while Martinez will miss Sunday’s Premier League opener at Brighton after returning late from a break.