Insider: Unai Emery plans to 'block' Ollie Watkins exit, he will only leave Aston Villa on one condition

Unai Emery is planning to block any incoming offers for Ollie Watkins as he will remain a key part of his Aston Villa squad next season.

The 30-year-old, who is currently at the World Cup with England, has attracted high-profile interest from clubs looking to lure him away from Aston Villa.

However, there are only two senior strikers on the books at Villa Park, and Emery is determined not to be left short of options regardless of the financial benefits.

Former Aston Villa scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that Watkins will only be allowed to leave if the club can land a replacement in the summer window.

The recruitment team are working to assess a number of strikers in case Watkins is prised away, but losing him before a replacement is lined up could be a "nightmare".

Tammy Abraham's arrival during the January transfer window gave Emery some much-needed depth in his squad, and they are not prepared to weaken the position already.

Could Aston Villa listen to offers for Ollie Watkins?

Brown told Football Insider in May that Watkins is increasingly likely to stay at Aston Villa next season even if a new striker comes through the doors at Villa Park.

The England international endured a frustrating season last time out, but hit form in the closing stages and played a key role in his side winning the Europa League.

As they prepare to compete in next season's Champions League, Emery is hopeful of keeping his squad strong, and will block anything that would see it weakened.

"Ollie Watkins is still an important player for Villa, he showed that last season," Brown told Football Insider.

"Unai Emery doesn't want to lose key players this summer, he wants to build around them and add to his squad before they enter the Champions League again.

"With Ollie Watkins specifically, the problem Aston Villa have is that they don't have much squad depth up front, so they really can't afford to let him go.

"If Watkins was to move on, it leaves Tammy Abraham as their only striker, and all of a sudden they're back in the position they were in before they signed him in January.

"So the only way I can see Villa entertaining any offers for Watkins is if they can bring somebody else in first, but even then, it might be a bit of a risk."

Which clubs are interested in signing Watkins?

Speculation about Watkins' long-term future at Villa Park has come amid growing interest from clubs across Europe as well as from some of Villa's Premier League rivals.

Turkish outfit Fenerbahce are the latest club being linked with a move for the striker, but he may be given the opportunity to stay in England even if Villa let him leave.

Brown told Football Insider in March that Everton are plotting a move to sign Watkins as he would provide a significant upgrade on David Moyes' current attacking options.

They are among multiple sides in the Premier League keen on landing a new striker as concerns about Beto and Thierno Barry's goalscoring exploits have lingered.

Should Everton be made aware of his availability at a reasonable price, they could make a move this summer to add more quality to their attacking options.