Aston Villa manager Unai Emery said striker Ollie Watkins could leave the club following a 4-0 [1] defeat to Brighton.
The situation creates uncertainty for a Villa squad that struggled in its Premier League opener. Watkins was absent from the match for undisclosed reasons, fueling speculation that his future at the club is in jeopardy during the transfer window.
Emery addressed the speculation regarding his star forward. "I don’t want him to leave, but it’s on the table," Emery said [1]. When pressed further on the player's intentions, Emery said, "Ask him" [2].
The striker has attracted significant attention from other clubs. Reports indicate that Arsenal submitted a bid of approximately £60 million [3] for the player, though at least one bid was rejected [4]. Beyond the Premier League, Saudi Arabian side Al Hilal has also shown interest in the forward.
Despite the reported interest, Emery maintained the player's current role in the squad. "He’s our striker," Emery said [3].
The loss at Falmer Stadium marked a difficult start to the season for Villa. The 4-0 [1] result puts immediate pressure on the management to stabilize the roster, especially if a key offensive asset departs before the window closes.
“"I don’t want him to leave, but it’s on the table."”
The contradiction between Emery's desire to keep Watkins and his admission that a sale is possible suggests Villa may be vulnerable to high-value offers. A £60 million bid from a rival like Arsenal or a lucrative offer from Saudi Arabia could force the club's hand, especially as they seek to rebuild after a humbling opening-day performance.
