What Aston Villa have now set in motion as Christopher Nkunku could replace Ollie Watkins

Aston Villa have been linked with a move for AC Milan forward Christopher Nkunku.

The former Chelsea attacker is no longer wanted at the Serie A outfit and will be allowed to leave in the final weeks of the transfer window.

Ruben Amorim's team have already informed the France international of their desire to part ways.

Villa have now set plans in motion that could see them replace Ollie Watkins with Nkunku.

The 30-year-old centre-forward could be on his way out of Villa Park before deadline day.

Unai Emery could be without some of his key players ahead of next season and the English striker could be one of them.

Aston Villa make move as Christopher Nkunku transfer options assessed

Watkins is open to leaving Villa this summer as Al Hilal work on signing him.

The Villans may need to look for the England international's replacement soon, with Tammy Abraham and Brian Madjo the other two options at Emery's disposal for the number nine position.

According to Onze Mondial on 20 August, the Lions have entered the race for Nkunku as uncertainty remains around Watkins.

The Villa Park hierarchy have held talks with the 28-year-old French attacker's representatives and enquired about signing him.

Milan would agree to let the centre-forward leave, with Newcastle United, Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig proposing a loan deal.

It was at the Saxony club that Nkunku made a name for himself as a lethal goalscorer before moving to Chelsea, but he has failed to live up to expectations since then.

Why Unai Emery has reason to worry at Villa Park

Ezri Konsa's imminent move to Arsenal would represent another massive blow for Villa this transfer window.

Emery has already lost the likes of Youri Tielemans, Morgan Rogers and Lucas Digne, who played a big part in the Lions' success last season.

Watkins and Konsa could soon join the outgoing list in B6, leaving the Spanish manager with a massive rebuild on his hands.

Emi Martinez also continues to be in the headlines as speculation around his future grows.

Emery is about to lose a majority of his core group and fans will surely worry about how that will affect the team's performances.