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Aston Villa: ‘Big, big fee’ needed to sign Ollie Watkins
Only a ‘big, big fee’ will be able to prise Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins from the club in the summer transfer window, journalist Pete O’Rourke has claimed.
The Lowdown: Watkins on fire for Villa
The 27-year-old finds himself in a rich vein form currently, scoring eight goals and registering four assists in the Premier League so far this season.
Six of those strikes have come since league action returned after the 2022 World Cup in December, highlighting the level of Watkins’ performances in 2023 to date.
The Villa attacker’s form hasn’t gone unnoticed, however, and some reports have linked him with a move away from the club this summer.
The Latest: Update on future emerges
Speaking to Give Me Sport, O’Rourke claimed that only a giant fee would be able to turn Villa’s head, with the club seeing him a key man moving forward:
“It would take a big, big fee, I think, for Villa to even consider selling him right now as well.
“And I’m sure he’s enjoying being the main man at Villa, which he is right now. So, there’s lots to weigh up, but I’m sure he will be flattered by the reported interest from Arsenal.”
The Verdict: Must keep at all costs
Watkins has arguably become the first name on Unai Emery‘s team sheet currently given the form he is in, with the manager describing him as ‘very competitive’ recently.
For that reason, it is vital that Villa do all they can to keep hold of the seven-cap England international, with his prime years still potentially ahead of him and his all-round game so effective.
Watkins has not only been in fine goalscoring form this season, but he has also averaged 1.8 aerial duel wins per game, proving to be an effective target man.
Granted, the lure of joining someone like Arsenal could be too great to turn down, but Villa must ensure they get massive money for him if he does want to leave.
