Aston Villa want to tie up transfers for two new signings after forking out for Ollie Watkins, with bids for Emiliano Martinez and Milot Rashica being lined up. Villa want to continue spending big in order to improve their chances of avoiding relegation next season.
Villa made Watkins the most expensive championship player ever last week, as they spent £28million to sign him from Brentford.
The deal could rise to £33m with add-ons, making him the 12th most expensive brit of all time.
Despite the enormity of that transfer fee, Villa aren’t done there and are set to splash the cash in the coming weeks with more bids for their next two targets.
Arsenal backup Martinez is Smith’s top target, and is ready to green-light a £20m bid for the Argentine.
The Gunners are reluctant to let him leave, but have accepted that they may have to part ways with the 27-year-old in order to fund their transfer activity.
Arsenal want Brentford’s David Raya as Martinez’s replacement, and want to pay £10m for the Spaniard.
But the Bees are playing hardball and are refusing to let their star man leave, having already let go of Watkins this summer already.
