Monchi might be planning a ‘huge’ surprise signing at Aston Villa, and it could be at £33m player’s expense

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Despite all the talk about Aston Villa’s PSR concerns this summer, Unai Emery will still expect significant upgrades to his playing staff.

In controversial fashion on the last day of the season, Aston Villa missed out on another campaign of Champions League football, but that won’t curtail the club’s ambition.

Villa are interested in Ferran Torres at Barcelona right now, who might find himself in a somewhat precarious position at the Nou Camp following the potential arrival of Nico Williams.

And whilst Villa have missed out on Real Betis’ Jesus Rodriguez, president of football operations Monchi will still have several other targets under close consideration.

Villa are refusing to sell Morgan Rogers despite strong interest across Europe, and there’s still plenty of reason for optimism at Villa Park.

Aston Villa could do something ‘huge’ if they sell Ollie Watkins

With that in mind, TBR Football chief correspondent Graeme Bailey has now shared his theory on what Villa might be planning behind the scenes.

Manchester United are one of several clubs looking at Ollie Watkins right now, a situation Bailey said to ‘keep an eye on’.

And in relation to a possible move away for the £33m striker, Bailey said there might be a ‘huge’ surprise on the horizon for Villa fans.

READ MORE: Emi Martinez can go but ‘frustrated’ Unai Emery is still refusing to sell £100m Aston Villa star

He said: “Could we see Villa coming for a big striker late doors? I wouldn’t rule them out.

“As we’ve seen, Emery and Monchi are prepared to make these big decisions when it’s right for the club.

“Diaby and Duran were both sold to the Saudi Pro League and Monchi will explore every option available to the club.

“So I think Watkins’ future is really one to keep an eye on this summer — do they think they can find an upgrade? It’ll be fascinating to see what Villa do. I could see them doing something very big up front.

“So let’s keep an eye out, I do get this feeling that Villa are going to do something huge that we don’t have a clue about right now, they’re a club at the moment for me who could definitely spring that surprise.

“Villa are ones to watch in the striker market, I don’t think they’ll get Gyokeres for instance, but I also don’t think they’ll be a million miles away.”

Is it the right time to sell Ollie Watkins?

With Marcus Rashford at the club for the second half of last season, Emery proved that he was willing to leave Watkins on the bench on occasion.

The England international often watched on from the sidelines in big Champions League ties — something he’s not accustomed to at Villa Park.

And judging by the striker’s goal record last season, he might be showing small signs of decline at 29-years-old, even if his numbers were affected by substitute appearances.

Either way, it speaks volumes that clubs like Arsenal are still interested in Watkins, a striker who has such a consistent record in the Premier League.

But if one of Villa’s rivals made a concerted approach for Watkins, perhaps there could be a temptation to use the funds recouped to chase someone like Eintracht Frankfurt’s Hugo Ekitike.

It’s all pretty hypothetical for now, but there clearly will be opportunities for Monchi to make significant changes to Emery’s squad this summer.