By Pete O'Rourke, Transfer Correspondent

27th Sep, 2023 | 8:00am

Sources: Multiple clubs set sights on Ollie Watkins after Aston Villa news confirmed

Multiple clubs are monitoring Ollie Watkins’ situation at Aston Villa as his contract runs down, sources have told Football Insider.

The 27-year-old is currently out of contract at Villa Park in June 2025.

But as revealed by Football Insider on Monday (25 September), Aston Villa are keen to reward Watkins with a bumper new contract and are still in talks with the striker.

Nonetheless, several top sides are ready to pounce for the England international with those negotiations not yet advanced.

A well-placed source has told Football Insider that talks are close to progressing and Aston Villa are “confident” of keeping him at the club.

Watkins opened his Premier League account for the 2023-24 campaign with a goal in the 1-0 win over Chelsea on Sunday (24 September).

He has now notched four goals and two assists in nine games across all competitions so far this season.

The forward joined Villa in back 2020 for a reported then-club-record fee of £28million – but is yet to extend his contract at the club.

Watkins enjoyed the best form of his Premier League career in the 2022-23 campaign, scoring 16 goals and registering six assists.

He hit 10 goals in 11 games between January and April to fire Unai Emery’s side into European contention.

The Midlands giants finished the job in the final games of the season and are playing Europa Conference League football this term.

Watkins and Villa are next in action against Everton in the League Cup on Wednesday (27 September) before hosting Brighton in the Premier League on Saturday (30 September).

In other news, Monchi revolution continues at Aston Villa as behind-the-scenes deal agreed.