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Ollie Watkins apologized for refusing to play ahead of £51m Al-Hilal transfer, Unai Emery says
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery paid an emotional tribute to the departing striker as the club finalizes a £65m replacement deal for Nicolas Jackson.
The short version
- Aston Villa manager Unai Emery revealed that striker Ollie Watkins apologized to the team and staff for refusing to play against Brighton.
- Watkins is expected to travel to Saudi Arabia on Friday to finalize a £51 million transfer to Al-Hilal.
- Villa has agreed to sign Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson for £65 million as Watkins' replacement, while also adding midfielder Leon Goretzka on a free transfer.
Key facts
- Aston Villa manager Unai Emery stated that striker Ollie Watkins apologized for refusing to play against Brighton before his anticipated transfer.[BBC News]
- The 30-year-old Watkins is expected in Saudi Arabia on Friday to complete a £51 million move to Al-Hilal.[BBC News]
- Watkins leaves Aston Villa as their record Premier League scorer, having scored 91 Premier League goals and 108 overall since joining from Brentford in 2020.[BBC News]
- Aston Villa has agreed to a £65 million deal to sign Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson as Watkins' replacement.[BBC News]
- Midfielder Leon Goretzka completed a free transfer to Aston Villa on Thursday after leaving Bayern Munich at the end of the previous season.[BBC News]
What remains uncertain
- It remains to be seen whether Nicolas Jackson can be registered in time for Monday's match against Arsenal.[BBC News]
Sources
- Departing Watkins apologised for refusing to play - EmeryBBC News - Top Stories