'We have had offers' - Unai Emery admits Ollie Watkins could leave Aston Villa amid Saudi interest

Emery has sent shockwaves through the Midlands by confirming that the club has received formal offers for star striker Watkins. The England international, who was instrumental in Villa's recent Europa League triumph with five goals and two assists in the competition, is currently a primary target for Saudi Pro League heavyweights Al-Hilal.

'We have an issue with him, it's clear. He is our player. We have had offers for him, 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,' Emery told reporters when questioned about the 30-year-old's future.

Watkins' potential departure would represent another massive blow to a squad that has already been significantly depleted this summer. The club has already sanctioned the sale of Ezri Konsa to Arsenal for £51 million and Morgan Rogers' move to Chelsea for a British record fee of £117 million, with Youri Tielemans and Lucas Digne also bidding farewell during this transfer window.

Emery remains hopeful but realistic about the situation surrounding Watkins, who has netted 108 goals since his arrival from Brentford in 2020. '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 his level. If he leaving it's because it is good for three ways, one is him, another is the club and another is the team,' Emery added.

The instability at Villa Park isn't limited to the forward line, as 2022 World Cup winner Emi Martinez also faces an uncertain future. While a move to Juventus recently collapsed due to a disagreement over the transfer fee, the Argentine remains a flight risk. In anticipation of a possible exit, Villa have already secured the signing of Japan international Zion Suzuki from Parma for £30 million.

Discussing the goalkeeping situation, Emery stated: 'We have two excellent goalkeepers, of course we signed Suzuki not for the future but for now. He showed his capacity to get his performance to our level. He will need to adapt to us but he is playing at this level. Martinez transmitted to us the possibility to have another challenge in his career. Even last year, he was thinking in case he can have one possibility to change for his challenges.'

Emery's admission highlights the difficult balancing act Villa face as they attempt to compete in the Premier League while managing interest from global giants. The manager acknowledged that Martinez's desire for a new challenge has been a recurring theme. '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,' the manager explained.

If Watkins and Martinez both depart, Villa will have effectively sold more than half of the starting XI that brought home the Europa League trophy just two months ago. This massive turnover puts immense pressure on the recruitment team to find adequate replacements before the deadline, especially as Villa kick off their Premier League campaign away to Brighton this Sunday.