Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins could leave for West Ham in £50m move – report
Ollie Watkins has emerged as a serious target for West Ham United this summer in a deal that could reach up to £50m, according to The Guardian.
The England international joined the club from Brentford for £28m two summers ago and has scored 11 goals in all competitions for club and country this season.
He has been picked regularly under Steven Gerrard and used both out wide and through the middle, and his performances have attracted the attention of Hammers boss David Moyes for a possible summer deal.
West Ham are desperate to add a striker to their squad to compete with Michail Antonio after missing out on top four and a place in the Europa League final this season.
According to The Guardian, Gerrard could be prepared to let Watkins leave as he looks to bolster his own squad but the club would demand at least £50m from their Premier League rivals.
Huge
Watkins is a strange player in the Villa squad right now, and a big bid could certainly tempt the club to let him leave.
Despite his obvious qualities and the attributes he brings to the squad, there is a ceiling to his potential and his inconsistency in front of goal and dwindling returns in the final third mean there is plenty of scope for improvement.
A bid of £50m would allow Gerrard to enter the market himself and look to bring in a striker that is more reliable in front of goal, or help boost his options elsewhere to get more out of Danny Ings.
Whether West Ham would go to £50m is unknown right now, and there have been reports in the past that they had an enquiry dismissed in the January transfer window because the quoted price was too high.
But if they return, Watkins could see the move as a step up considering their current positions in the league table and the fact that he would get to play European football in a World Cup year.
In other Aston Villa news, Jacob Ramsey ruled out of Aston Villa clash v Liverpool with injury