---
title: "West Ham: Journalist makes Watkins transfer claim"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/west-ham-transfer-rumours-aston-villa-givemesport-watkins-update-whufc/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Emilio Galantini"
section: "Follow up"
published: "2022-06-09T17:10:02Z"
modified: "2022-06-09T17:10:02Z"
---

# West Ham: Journalist makes Watkins transfer claim

**Journalist Pete O’Rourke says [West Ham United](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/west-ham-news/) could be making a ‘really exciting signing’ if they manage to bring Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins to the London Stadium.**

### The Lowdown: Moyes eyeing Watkins…

The east Londoners, after just missing out on a place in the [Premier League](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/premier-league-news/) top six last season to Man United, are looking to go again for 2022/23 with fresh additions in the transfer market.

A striker is reportedly[high on the agenda](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-10863785/West-Ham-Southampton-join-race-Red-Bull-Salzburgs-Austrian-striker-Junior-Adamu.html) for Moyes with West Ham seriously short of options and alternatives to mainstay forward Michail Antonio in the attacking areas.

Reliable journalist Simon Jones of [The Daily Mail](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-10863785/West-Ham-Southampton-join-race-Red-Bull-Salzburgs-Austrian-striker-Junior-Adamu.html) backs that the Hammers are eyeing a move for Villa star Watkins, even if it will be a difficult deal to pull off.

### The Latest: O’Rourke makes Watkins claim…

\[freshpress-poll id=”399165″\]

Speaking to [GiveMeSport](https://www.givemesport.com/88018264-west-ham-50m-striker-would-really-excite-fans-at-london-stadium), journalist O’Rourke says West Ham could make a ‘really exciting signing’ for Moyes if they do somehow get Watkins in.

He explained:

*“I think he’d be a really exciting signing for West Ham and all their fans. He’s really proved at Aston Villa over the last couple of years that he is a top player, who I think can only get better as well.*

*“West Ham, obviously they’ve needed a new striker for the last few transfer windows and haven’t been able to bring the right one in.”*

### The Verdict: Push the boat out?

Villa are likely to demand at least [£50 million](https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/may/10/west-ham-target-summer-move-for-aston-villa-striker-ollie-watkins) for Watkins but such an investment could be worth it from West Ham’s perspective.

According to [WhoScored,](https://www.whoscored.com/Teams/24/Show/England-Aston-Villa) the 26-year-old finished 2021/2022 as one of Steven Gerrard’s best-performing players and top goal scorer domestically with 11 strikes and two assists.

He ranked among their top-five by average match rating per 90 with Watkins also taking the second-most shots at goal every game – just behind sensational January signing Philippe Coutinho ([WhoScored).](https://www.whoscored.com/Teams/24/Show/England-Aston-Villa)

There’s arguably few better alternatives already proven in England and we believe GSB should attempt a move at the very least.

***In other news: West Ham officials dispatched as GSB eye ‘superstar’ signing for Moyes…find out more [here.](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/west-ham-transfer-rumours/west-ham-journalist-shares-big-eriksen-transfer-update/)***