Ollie Watkins must feel betrayed following Aston Villa's high-profile exits this summer, according to former striker Dwight Yorke. The Premier League icon believes that Watkins must be 'cheesed off' after seeing his teammates depart following their Europa League victory.
Morgan Rogers, Youri Tielemans and Ezri Konsa have all left during the summer transfer window, while Watkins missed Villa's opening Premier League match after being linked to Al Hilal. Unai Emery has lost the core of his team as he looks to spearhead another impressive season with Champions League action to contend with.
Watkins' Villa Future in Doubt
Villa have knocked back bids for star striker Watkins, who has bagged 108 goals in 278 appearances for the club, but he now looks bound for Saudi Arabia and a £50m transfer. The former Brentford ace is under contract until 2028 and was offered new terms, but appears primed to exit.
Villa are understood to have agreed a £65million deal for Nicolas Jackson to join from Chelsea, while Emi Martinez is set to go in the opposite direction. The Midlands club are also believed to be closing in on AC Milan winger Rafael Leao, with a £43m move touted.
Yorke's Empathy for Watkins
That may not be enough to convince Watkins to stay in Yorke's mind, and the former Manchester United ace is empathetic over Watkins' position.
"Aston Villa have sold their best player, which was Morgan Rogers last season, then they sell Tielemans and then they sell Konsa. It's a whole list of regulars," he told Reviant.
"Ollie Watkins must feel that this is a little bit of a betrayal from his point of view. Everybody's been able to leave. He was linked heavily to Arsenal at one point, but that didn't happen for him."
"A year later, after winning a major competition, all the players that you consider the Villa big players are leaving the club. I could understand his concern, so it would be no surprise if he’s a little bit cheesed off."
Watkins' Potential Saudi Move
Yorke added: "He might be thinking, ‘I'm thirty years of age, I've won a major competition, and none of the big boys will take me now. I might as well go to Saudi to fill my bag and play a couple of years for a nice retirement at the end.’"
"I get that, and you can't fault him for thinking that way. When it comes to an end, the clubs can really do a number on you. You're seeing people like Kevin De Bruyne, who's been at City for so long, he wanted to stay an extra year and for some reason that didn't materialise."
"You have to give and take in these circumstances, and I'm sure that will be the case with Ollie Watkins. He's got to evaluate what is best for him now. That would be my suggestion to him if I was in his position."
