Aston Villa to demand £150m Watkins and Martinez Man Utd double deal – Exclusive
This article includes exclusive comments from former Aston Villa scout Bryan King.
Ollie Watkins and Emiliano Martinez’s futures have been the major talking points at Aston Villa.
Watkins has enjoyed a hugely productive five-year stay at Villa Park, but there has been continuous speculation that he could be about to depart the B6 outfit.
Villa are facing interest in Watkins from Manchester United, who have had plenty of interaction with Unai Emery’s side since the conclusion of the previous campaign.
Emi Martinez has also been heavily tipped to move to Old Trafford, while the Villans had previously explored the possibility of bringing Marcus Rashford or Alejandro Garnacho in the other direction.
Villa to want £150million for Watkins and Martinez
Villa’s pursuit of Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson has prompted even more scrutiny on Watkins’ future, as another striker could be about to arrive at Villa Park.
The Villans have become accustomed to fending off interest from Manchester United throughout this summer, but there may only be so many times they can resist.
However, Ruben Amorim’s side have recently drawn frustration from their counterparts by making a confusing loan offer for Martinez.
Ex-Villa scout Bryan King – speaking exclusively to Villa News – believes that Villa may show their discontent towards that approach by ramping up the price tag for the shot stopper and Watkins.
“Watkins is an international forward; he’s scored goals for Villa,” King said.
“If United are serious, and Villa are even contemplating selling him and Martinez, then something isn’t right. If I were Villa, I’d say, ‘If you’re interested, let’s see £150million on the table and we can discuss it.’
“They’re two of Villa’s better players, and if United want them, then they need to put their money where their mouth is.”
Aston Villa shouldn’t be tempted to cash in on Watkins or Martinez
Villa’s summer has been made hugely complicated by their financial struggles, and they have been trying to find ways of generating enough cash to improve the squad.
With that in mind, it would be tempting for them to cash in on a player like Watkins or Martinez if a suitable bid does come in, but they must try and avoid that at all costs.
Their campaign ended in disappointment last time out, but the Villans must not forget the great strides that they have made in recent years, and also the players who have got them into their current position.
Both Watkins and Martinez are genuine top-level stars, and it is fair to say that every single Premier League team would be keen to have either player in their squad.
But with that said, there is little point in sacrificing players like them to try and upgrade the squad, because the chances of Villa being able to source replacements of the same level of quality are very slim.
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