Aston Villa Inform Agents They’re Open to Selling Ollie Watkins Within 48 Hours
Aston Villa are racing against time to generate funds as they try to avoid breaching Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR), with the financial reporting deadline for the 2024/2025 season set for June 30.
According to The Athletic, Villa can only post a loss of about £15 million for the past year, given that Premier League regulations allow clubs to lose a maximum of around £105 million across three seasons. Projections indicate Villa will exceed that limit, prompting owners NSWE to consider drastic measures, such as selling their women’s team, to avoid sanctions.
Failing to secure Champions League qualification under Unai Emery at the end of the 2024/2025 campaign has hurt Villa both financially and on the pitch. As the deadline approaches, the club is expected to pursue a major sale in the coming days to balance the books.
Recent high-profile exits, including Jhon Duran and Moussa Diaby’s transfers to Saudi Arabia, have provided some relief, but further sales may be necessary. Atletico Madrid have held discussions with Lucas Digne about a possible return to Spain, and with only one year left on his £120,000-per-week contract, he is seen as a likely departure.
Other notable names reportedly available include Emiliano Martínez, Youri Tielemans, and Amadou Onana. Young talent Morgan Rogers has also drawn significant interest from other clubs.
Time is running out for Villa to finalize a lucrative deal. There could be additional funds coming if Kosta Nedeljkovic’s proposed permanent move to RB Leipzig materializes, according to Sky Germany.
Meanwhile, journalist Wayne Veysey reports that Villa have now notified leading agents that they are prepared to part with star striker Ollie Watkins before Monday.
Back in January, Villa rejected a £40 million bid from Arsenal for Watkins, but the Gunners have yet to return with an improved offer. Writing for Football Insider, Veysey notes that despite Watkins’ excellent season—where he scored 17 goals and provided 14 assists across all competitions—Villa have communicated their readiness to sell him but have not secured any buyers.
The 29-year-old, who turns 30 in December, recently became the club’s all-time top Premier League scorer, overtaking Gabriel Agbonlahor. Nonetheless, Villa have signaled they’re willing to negotiate a transfer.
Emery is unlikely to welcome this move, nor will many supporters, especially since the club already sold Duran earlier in the year. Replacing Watkins’ impact in attack would be an enormous challenge.
Speaking after Watkins broke Agbonlahor’s record, Emery praised his dedication:
“He deserves it completely because he is a hard worker,” Emery said. “He is committed to Aston Villa. His courage has been fantastic, and to achieve this is very fantastic. I am so, so grateful to have a player like him.”
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