Aston Villa work on double deal as three-man shortlist revealed

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery is hoping to add two new centre-backs to his squad before the 1 September transfer deadline, sources have told Football Insider.

The Villans view the addition of one new central defender as a "priority" after losing Ezri Konsa, but are hoping that their finances may allow them to add two new faces.

The second city outfit are big admirers of Chelsea star Tosin Adarabioyo and Southampton's Taylor Harwood-Bellis, who they have already had an offer rejected for.

Villa's third option at centre-back is Club Brugge's Joel Ordonez, and sources have indicated that they will prioritise the targets that represent the best value for them.

Emery's side are having to place great emphasis on the financial aspect of the deals, as they are toeing the line with SCR once again.

The addition of one new centre-back before the deadline is seen as a must, while a second new face in that area would be viewed as a bonus.

Aston Villa targets at three different levels

Villa are keeping their defensive options open in the final week of the window, but their three-man shortlist poses some very different profiles.

In Tosin, they have their eyes on a player with ample Premier League experience, having been a starter for both Fulham and Chelsea in recent years.

Ordonez is likely to be the most expensive of the three, but at 22, he already has Champions League experience and has been linked with top clubs already in recent months.

Finally, in Harwood-Bellis, they are eyeing a young English talent who has been tipped for a huge future ever since he left Manchester City.

Villa are big admirers of all three players, and would seemingly be happy with adding any to their squad for this season.

With their finances dictating a large part of their business this summer, that is ultimately likely to be the decisive factor once again.

Aston Villa plan to accept new Ollie Watkins offer

Former Villa scout Mick Brown told Football Insider on Tuesday that his former club will accept an offer for striker Ollie Watkins before the close of the window.

The frontman has been heavily linked with Al Hilal of late, and his club are prepared to sanction his exit if the right offer comes in.

Brown suggested that Emery is "raging" with the fact that his starting striker is set to be allowed out the door, having already lost several other key players this summer.

Watkins was absent for his team's opening-day defeat at Brighton, prompting a spiky interview from Emery about his future.