- EXCLUSIVE from Graeme Bailey
Aston Villa insist they have no plans to sell Ollie Watkins despite interest from Premier League rivals Arsenal, but offers for Diego Carlos may be considered.
HITC understands that, despite suggestions that Unai Emery may have to cash in on one of his star men due to the top-flight’s Profit and Sustainability rules, Aston Villa are not open to offers for a man who finished behind only Erling Haaland, Cole Palmer and Alexander Isak in the 2023/24 Golden Boot race.
Ollie Watkins, we have been told, has admirers at Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and a Manchester United side who want a striker to ease the burden on young Rasmus Hojlund. All four clubs believe that the England international could be available for the right price.
Aston Villa sources are dismissing those concerns, however, insisting that there are no plans to move on from a man who scored 27 goals and set up 13 across all competitions.
Aston Villa do not want to sell Ollie Watkins
There is also rival interest in star midfielder Douglas Luiz, goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez and the box-crashing academy graduate Jacob Ramsey. Aston Villa will resist selling any of their prized assets, however, as they prepare to play Champions League football for the very first time.
One man who could go, however, is Diego Carlos.
A £26 million signing from Sevilla back in 2022, the bone-crunching Brazilian is 31 years of age these days. As a result, Aston Villa know that Carlos’ value will diminish considerably in future windows.
Carlos, despite some impressive performances under Emery, has started only 22 Premier League games in two seasons due to injury. With Pau Torres and Ezri Konsa established as two of Emery’s first-choice defenders and with Tyrone Mings due to return soon enough, Carlos – unlike Watkins – is one of the players Villa could move on from without too many sleepless nights.
Villa must abide by Profit and Sustainability rules
Morgan Sanson, the forgotten man of Villa Park, has already departed. He joined OGC Nice a few weeks back after the Ligue 1 outfit triggered the purchase clause in his loan contract. Leander Dendoncker could leave too, spending the second half of 2023/24 on loan at Napoli.
Philippe Coutinho, meanwhile, is in talks over a return to Brazil, his former club Vasco da Gama keen on a man who appears to have no place in Emery’s plans after nine months in Qatar with Al-Duhail.
“We’ve been talking about a lot of things, but all of this is changing quickly. Philippe Coutinho’s trajectory and CV speak for themselves,” Vasco da Gama’s new head coach Alvaro Pacheco recently told O Dia.
“He’s a super experienced player, with a fantastic career. If he comes, he’ll be very welcome by everyone.”
HITC understands that, turning our attention from outgoings to incomings, Villa are keen on Bayer Leverksen speedster Jeremie Frimpong. There is a £34 million release clause in the former Manchester City youngsters contract.
Discussions have also been held with Paris Saint-Germain benchwarmer Carlos Soler.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
