By Pete O'Rourke, Transfer Correspondent

12th Sep, 2023 | 6:50am

Sources: Emery lays groundwork for marquee Aston Villa striker signing in January

Unai Emery and his Aston Villa recruitment staff are laying the groundwork for a marquee striker signing in January, sources have told Football Insider.

Football Insider revealed on Monday (11 September) that forwards Cameron Archer, Jaden Philogene and Keinan Davis were sold for FFP reasons.

It is believed those sales could have now freed up the funds for Emery to add to his squad in attack.

A well-placed source has told Football Insider that the Spaniard is keen to bring “more firepower” to Villa Park.

Ollie Watkins must shoulder the bulk of the attacking responsibility until the winter window opens.

The England international is yet to score in the Premier League this season but has scored three goals in two Europa Conference League games.

John Duran is serving as the backup forward for Emery, and has already scored a consolation goal off the bench against Liverpool earlier this month (3 September).

The Colombia international, who replaced Danny Ings at Villa Park earlier this year, has also bagged in the Europa Conference League.

Villa’s addition of Moussa Diaby from Bayer Leverkusen has also satisfied Emery’s need for extra firepower.

The winger, who cost a reported £51.9million in July, has managed two goals and one assist in four Premier League games.

Diaby notched 14 goals and 11 assists for Leverkusen last term to persuade Villa to part with a club-record fee.

Watkins scored 15 league goals in 37 games in the 2022-23 campaign to spearhead the charge to European qualification.

He scored 10 goals in 11 games between January and April for Emery’s side.

In other news, Aston Villa trump Newcastle after agreeing record fee for youngster.