Sources: Aston Villa ready to scrap plan to buy replacement for player who's won Emery over
Aston Villa will no longer move for a first-choice striker this summer after Ollie Watkins' dazzling recent form, sources have told Football Insider.
This site revealed on Tuesday (11 April) that Watkins, 27, is set for a bumper new contract at the club - with his current £75,000-a-week deal set to expire in June 2025.
Aston Villa had been keen to buy a new first-choice striker, but Emery is keen to build his side around the England international and will increase his wage well above £100,000-a-week.
The Spaniard even went public last week (7 April) to insist the in-form striker “deserves” fresh terms which would net him “more money”.
He also confirmed plans to land a new striker following Danny Ings' departure in January.
Football Insider revealed on Saturday (8 April) that Aston Villa are planning to smash their transfer record again this summer with another “huge” spending spree.
The Villians’ current record signing is former Norwich star Emiliano Buendia – who was signed for a reported potential fee of £38million.
But an A-list, first-choice striker is not expected to be high on the priority list for Emery and his recruitment staff as they look to build on a successful 2022-23 campaign.
Watkins has scored nine goals in his last 11 Premier League games to help Aston Villa rocket up the Premier League table and into sixth.
19-year-old Colombia international striker Jhon Duran was signed in January in the aftermath of Ings' departure.
England Under-21 international Cameron Archer is also set to return from his loan spell at Middlesbrough this summer.
Villa can secure European football for the 2023-24 season if they can continue their impressive form for the last eight games of this season.