Stefan Borson: Aston Villa have been trying to sell two 'big earners'
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Credit: Imago
James Murray
Thu 28 August 2025 7:00, UK
Aston Villa planned to sell Ollie Watkins and Emiliano Martinez to avoid losing any of their young talents this summer.
Football Insider exclusively revealed on 28th July Villa have told rivals Watkins could leave for the right price, but they have been surprised by the lack of interest in the striker.
Manchester United were linked with Watkins earlier this summer before deciding to sign Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig instead.
Football Insider revealed on 24 August Unai Emery has no plans to let Martinez leave Villa before the transfer window closes on 1 September.
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Morgan Rogers has also been linked with an exit, but Emery’s side are doing everything they can to keep hold of the attacking midfielder.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Borson said: “I do think that if you’d have asked Villa at the start of the summer what would you like to do in an ideal world from a player-trading perspective, they would have said, ideally, we’d get rid of Martinez and probably Watkins as older players who are approaching over 30 on big wages.
“They’ve not found buyers for either of those players.”
Credit: Imago
Football Insider revealed on 26 August Villa are preparing to lose Rogers in exchange for a late signing spree to strengthen their squad.