Gabby Agbonlahor conceded that Aston Villa may have to sell Ollie Watkins this summer in order to cling on to other talents in the squad.
Villa are expected to raise funds through player sales this summer as they attempt to fall under profit and sustainability [PSR] limits.
Aged 29, Watkins may be the chosen player for sale and the player himself open about being unhappy with being dropped in recent weeks for Marcus Rashford.
In the winter transfer window Arsenal reportedly had a bid of £60m for the England international rejected.
Rashford was brought in on loan from Manchester United and that deal could be made permanent this summer.
Speaking on Villa’s current financial situation, financial expert Kieran Maguire said: “The current season is the first one in which the sale of Jack Grealish has not given Aston Villa a £100m boost as far as their PSR calculations are concerned.
“Their wages have been 90 percent of the revenue. Uefa says anything over 70 is something they have to be concerned about.
“They’ve done well in terms of progress in the Champions League which has boosted the money in but at the same time players would have had substantial bonuses.”
Agbonlahor named the likes of Morgan Rogers and Jacob Ramsey, who are 22 and 23 respectively, as players they must keep hold of.
It would not be the first time Villa have cashed in on their young talents, as demonstrated by the £64m sale of 21-year-old Jhon Duran to Al Nassr in January.
However, Agbonlahor remains open to the sale of the striker one goal away from breaking his Premier League goal record for Aston Villa.
“He’s nearly 30,” said Agbonlahor. “Will they look at if we can get £40 or £50 million from Watkins?
“That saves you from PSR and then you can invest that money again on someone a bit younger.”
He added: I think he’d do a great job for Arsenal. He’s an Arsenal fan and we know that as well.
“I would love him to sign another contract to stay at Aston Villa, I feel like he’s still got a lot to give. But sometimes these managers have got other ideas, he might be looking at it and thinking Rashford is the way forward is £40m. It’s hard to see what Unai Emery wants to be honest.”
If they do sell, then fans will want to see some incomings and that someone could be a long time target of Arsenal manager, Mikel Arteta.
Speaking on Emery’s transfer targets, Agbonlahor said: “He might be looking at Nico Williams from Bilbao. I know he’s a big admirer of him. Could he be one that comes in for the summer.”
Williams, 22, has been a star for Athletic Bilbao, being an integral part of their 2024 Copa del Rey title squad.
He is also a mainstay within Spain’s national squad, scoring a goal in the Euros 2024 final which his country won.
But his reported wage demands of £400,000 per week will be a huge stumbling block for many clubs chasing his signature.
A fee Villa may want to avoid in order to balance their books.
Continuing his thoughts on Villa squad, Agbonlahor continued: “I wouldn’t want Watkins to leave because he’s an outstanding striker. Pau Torres has been poor in recent weeks. Would he be one?
“Jacob Ramsey, I wouldn’t want him to leave. Would he be one they sacrifice for a big fee? Young and a very talented player.”
