Aston Villa manager Unai Emery has admitted he cannot promise that Ollie Watkins will remain at the club before the transfer window shuts, as Saudi side Al-Hilal continue to push for the striker's signature.
Speaking ahead of Villa's Premier League opener away at Brighton on Sunday, Emery confirmed that formal offers have already arrived for the 30-year-old, who has become the subject of intense transfer speculation in the closing stages of the summer market.
"We have an issue with him, it's clear. He is our player. We have had offers for him," Emery said. "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."
The Spanish coach was quick to praise Watkins' contribution since arriving from Brentford in 2020, describing him as a player the club has always trusted. "With Ollie, he is here, for me he is a fantastic striker, we have always believed in him," Emery added. "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."
Watkins has been a central figure in Villa's rise under Emery, scoring 108 goals in all competitions since his move from Brentford for £28m. He holds the record as the club's leading Premier League scorer and was instrumental last season, contributing to 19 goals in the league while missing just one match, as well as making 15 appearances during Villa's triumphant Europa League run.
His potential exit would mark the latest chapter in a summer of significant turnover at Villa Park. Defender Ezri Konsa has already completed a £51m move to Arsenal, while winger Morgan Rogers left for Chelsea in a club-record £117m deal. Youri Tielemans and Lucas Digne have also departed, continuing a wave of change following the club's Europa League campaign two months ago. Should both Watkins and goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez leave before deadline day, Villa will have sold six players from the starting eleven that featured in that European run.
Martinez's proposed transfer to Juventus fell through after the two clubs failed to reach an agreement on a fee. In anticipation of a possible departure, Villa moved to sign Japan international Zion Suzuki from Parma for £30m as a long-term option in goal. However, Suzuki will not be available for the trip to Brighton having only completed one training session following his return from a post-World Cup break.
Emery explained the goalkeeping situation, saying: "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." On Martinez's stance, Emery added that the Argentine had expressed interest in a new challenge, noting he had considered a similar move the previous year before ultimately staying and performing well for the club.
With Watkins' future uncertain and Tammy Abraham also unlikely to feature against Brighton, Villa could be short of an available recognised striker for their season opener. Reports suggest the club could turn to Chelsea again for reinforcements, with forward Nicolas Jackson - who spent last season on loan at Bayern Munich - reportedly under consideration as a potential replacement should Watkins depart.
Based on reporting from BBC Sport and Standard Sport.