Striker Ollie Watkins is reportedly a target for Turkish club Fenerbahce, as Aston Villa navigates UEFA's Financial Fair Play regulations which may necessitate player sales this summer. Watkins, currently with the England squad preparing for a World Cup quarter-final, has two years remaining on his contract at Villa Park.
Despite being a consistent top scorer since his 2020 arrival, Watkins is understood to earn less than some of his teammates. Fenerbahce is said to be prepared to offer the England forward a substantial salary increase, which would also bolster his negotiating position for future contract discussions.
Watkins concluded the recent season strongly, scoring 13 goals in his final 16 matches. This late surge helped Aston Villa secure a fourth-place finish in the Premier League and win the Europa League, their first major trophy since 1996.
Sources indicate that Aston Villa might consider a sale for Watkins, who turns 31 in December, as it presents a prime opportunity to secure a significant transfer fee given his contract status. However, the club is currently under scrutiny from UEFA for breaching spending rules in the past two seasons. This restricts their ability to spend more than they earn on transfers, meaning any significant acquisition would likely depend on a substantial sale.
Another Aston Villa attacker, Morgan Rogers, is also reportedly attracting interest, with Arsenal among the clubs linked. However, for Watkins, Aston Villa is reportedly unwilling to entertain offers below a figure substantially exceeding £100 million.