Aston Villa have already parted ways with first-team star Douglas Luiz this summer, with there now a possibility that Unai Emery could lose another.
Despite welcoming five new faces to Villa Park already this summer, it’s been exits that have generated the most attention at Aston Villa.
So far, Unai Emery and Monchi have allowed four first-team players to leave, with Douglas Luiz, Omari Kellyman and Tim Iroegbunam leaving permanently and Philippe Coutinho departing on loan.
There remains doubt over Moussa Diaby’s future amid Saudi links and now, another crucial member of Emery’s squad has been speculated with a move away.
Chelsea make Aston Villa star Ollie Watkins a transfer target this summer
Part of Villa’s successes in the 2023/24 season came as a result of the achievements of some of Emery’s untouchables.
One irreplaceable figure is of course talisman Ollie Watkins, who has now been named as a possible target for Chelsea.
In a transfer round-up, The Athletic listed some potential targets that Chelsea could eye to fulfil their wish of signing an ‘established striker’ this summer.
The report names Watkins alongside Alexander Isak, Victor Osimhen and Julian Alvarez, with there an understanding that each of those transfers would be ‘highly complex’ for the Blues to pull off.
It’s impossible to imagine Chelsea acquiring Watkins from Villa Park this summer, with the England international’s value to the club being immeasurable.
Still, interest in the 28-year-old comes as no surprise after his performances last season, where he thrived in claret and blue working closely with Emery.
Villa would not entertain interest in Watkins
While Villa departures for Luiz and Diaby were perhaps unexpected, it would be near-impossible to imagine the club parting ways with Watkins for any fee.
The striker is at the top of his game, having contributed to a magnificent 40 goals in all competitions last season.
There are records to be broken by the striker as early as next season at Villa, with Gabby Agbonlahor’s Premier League scoring record in touching distance for the former Brentford man.
Given the forward’s growth under Emery and his importance to the squad, no price could be considered to peel him away from the Spaniard’s plans, particularly with Champions League football coming up.
Selling the 28-year-old in his prime to a Premier League rival would not fit the stellar business moves pulled off by Monchi so far, with Chelsea’s interest rather bold.
It will be fascinating to see if the Blues do act on their reported admiration for the marksman, whose future looks to be firmly in B6.
