Aston Villa manager Unai Emery has admitted that striker Ollie Watkins could leave the club before the transfer window closes, despite his desire to keep the England international.
Watkins is attracting interest from Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal, with Emery confirming that offers have been made for the 30-year-old forward.
READ ALSO: Injured Sinner withdraws from US Open
Villa have already lost several key players this summer, including Ezri Konsa, who is joining Arsenal for £51m, and Morgan Rogers, who moved to Chelsea for a club-record £117m. Youri Tielemans and Lucas Digne have also departed.
Emery said he wants Watkins to remain at Villa Park but acknowledged that circumstances could change.
“We have an issue with him, it’s clear. He is our player. We have had offers for him,” Emery said.
“I don’t want to sell him but it can change because if it’s a good option for him and the club and I can replace him in the squad, this is the routine we have and we did before with the players who are leaving.”
The Spaniard added that Watkins remains an important part of his plans.
“With Ollie, he is here. For me, he is a fantastic striker. We have always believed in him.
“Now he is our player. There are 10 days, more or less, to finish the transfer window. We will see what happens. I’m happy with him. If he is staying with us, he will continue playing at his level.”
Watkins has scored 108 goals for Villa since joining from Brentford for £28m in 2020 and is the club’s record Premier League goalscorer.
If Watkins and goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez both leave, Villa will have lost six members of the starting XI that won the Europa League two months ago.
Martinez future remains uncertain
Martinez’s proposed move to Juventus collapsed after the clubs failed to agree a fee, while Villa have already signed Japan international goalkeeper Zion Suzuki from Parma for £30m.
Martinez will miss Sunday’s Premier League opener against Brighton after returning from his post-World Cup break and completing only one training session.
Emery explained that the Argentine had previously expressed a desire to pursue another challenge, prompting Villa to bring in Suzuki.
“Martinez transmitted to us the possibility to have another challenge in his career,” Emery said.
“Even last year, he was thinking in case he can have one possibility to change for his challenges. He didn’t do it last year and he performed fantastic with us.
“This year, again, he transmitted us the possibility to have another challenge and we decided to sign Suzuki because I think he’s a fantastic goalkeeper.”