Aston Villa will reportedly push ahead with a new contract for Ollie Watkins next, after John McGinn penned a new deal this week.
As per the club’s statement, McGinn has committed his future until 2027, joining Jacob Ramsey, Boubacar Kamara, Emiliano Martinez, Matty Cash, Cameron Archer and Tim Iroegbunam in being tied to Villa for the next four years.
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The club have operated impressively to ensure that the core of the group is in place for the long-term future, and now Unai Emery will undoubtedly look to strengthen around them this summer by bringing in reinforcements that raise the level.
While none of our key first-team players will see their contract expire in the next two years, albeit Bertrand Traore could argue he’s still part of the plan moving forward, Watkins is among a few who will see their deal run down in 2025.
However, that might not be the case for much longer, according to speculation following the McGinn announcement.
According to the Express and Star’s Matt Maher, Villa are looking to also agree new terms with Watkins, and their aim is to secure his long-term future next after the McGinn deal was confirmed.
Watkins, 27, bagged 16 goals and six assists in 40 appearances last season, with 14 of those goals and four of his assists coming in 26 games under Emery.
Having led the line superbly and with better consistency under the Spaniard, it’s hoped that he will go from strength to strength moving forward regardless of whether or not he faces increased competition, and so a new contract would be an ideal reward and another statement of our intent to keep our best players at the club.
Time will tell how soon an agreement can be reached between the two parties, but it would be another important piece of business from Villa ahead of launching into our recruitment push this summer to strengthen the squad for a big season next year.