Sources: Aston Villa star Ollie Watkins close to agreeing £100,000-a-week+ deal
Ollie Watkins is set for a bumper new contract at Aston Villa following his dazzling recent form, sources have told Football Insider.
Sources with knowledge of the 27-year-old’s situation have revealed that talks are progressing well and all parties are happy with the direction of discussions over a new deal.
Watkins is happy at Villa Park and manager Unai Emery sees him as a key player – with the Spaniard keen to build the Aston Villa side around the England international.
Emery went public with his stance on a new contract for the Premier League’s in-form striker last week (7 April), insisting the striker “deserves” fresh terms which would net him “more money”.
The Spaniard also confirmed Aston Villa would be signing a new striker in the summer window following the January departure of Danny Ings.
Watkins currently earns a reported wage of £75,000-a-week at the Midlands giants, with his deal set to expire in June 2025.
According to FBRef, the club’s top earner is Lucas Digne – and sources say Watkins’ new deal will bring him closer to the left-back’s weekly wage of £160,000-a-week.
It is believed that the striker will be offered well over £100,000-a-week as Villa bid to tie him down long-term.
The seven-cap England international’s 2022-23 campaign has exploded into life in recent weeks.
Watkins has scored nine goals in his last 11 Premier League games – with the forward now spearheading the charge up into sixth in the table.
Aston Villa are now very much in the fight to secure European qualification for the 2023-24 campaign with eight games of this term remaining.
Emery’s side face high-flying Newcastle on Saturday (15 April).
In other news, Aston Villa could accept defender offer as new details emerge.