Now, Aston Villa ‘have to contemplate’ adding a significant player in January.
Given the uncertainty surrounding the future of several of its attackers, Aston Villa may need to bolster their roster in January, particularly in the striker department with Rikker.
Ollie Watkins has been playing well, drawing interest from Manchester United and Arsenal among other elite Premier League teams.
Tammy Abraham, who has Premier League experience and might be drawn to playing for Unai Emery, is a target for Villa.
Despite Aston Villa’s strong start to the season, journalist Dean Jones told GIVEMESPORT why Unai Emery would be looking to bolster in January, with the signing of a striker possibly being a top priority.
Since the season began, Ollie Watkins has been a prolific scorer for the Midlands club; nevertheless, an injury to the England international might have terrible consequences for Emery’s team. Watkins’ backup at the Villans is Jhon Duran, but the Colombian’s staying at Villa Park is in question, and Emery has no other senior striker available.
When the winter transfer market opens, Villa may not appear to be in dire need of reinforcements, but Emery will still want to make new recruits to keep Villa ahead of their Premier League opponents. Villa has a legitimate shot at competing for spots in Europe once more, but the teams in the table around them will keep adding players to their rosters.
Both strikers could be lost by Aston Villa.
Villa is unlikely to accept an offer for Watkins unless they receive a sizable one, but a Champions League team might make a move in the next transfer window. In just 13 Premier League games this season, the 27-year-old has already scored seven goals and given five assists, which is sure to stir heads among teams vying for the top spot in England’s premier division.
Arsenal is reportedly one of the teams considering a move for Watkins and has already spoken with the former Brentford striker’s representation in advance of a possible transfer, according to Football Transfers. Watkins agreed to sign a new contract back in October, so the Villans will have all the cards in any prospective transfer and are not under any obligation to let him go.
Manchester United is reportedly eager to put Villa’s commitment to Watkins to the test. It remains to be seen if another team will turn the English striker down, but Villa will undoubtedly be fighting to keep him in the Midlands. Duran might be pressuring for a trade as well, which would deplete Villa’s offensive resources.
According to reports, Duran is not happy with Emery’s current treatment, therefore when the winter window opens, a departure may be imminent. According to Football Insider, Emery is getting more and more irritated with the striker, which is why he’s made him available for loan before January.
