Bayern Munich transfer twist emerges for Ollie Watkins at Aston Villa as staff member heads to Villa Park
Bayern Munich have had Ollie Watkins watched as part of their search for a new striker this summer in what could prove to be a troublesome transfer saga for Aston Villa.
According to the Mirror [30 April], the German champions had a scout present at Villa’s home Premier League game against Fulham on Tuesday [25 April], as Thomas Tuchel runs the rule over signing a consistent goalscorer for his new team for next season.
The 27-year-old has been in scintillating form under Unai Emery lately, bagging 11 goals from his last 12 Premier League outings at one stage and leading the club’s charge for European football that has left them sixth with five games of the season remaining.
All in all, Watkins has hit 14 goals from 32 Premier League games putting him seventh on the English top flight’s top scorers list and the fourth-best goalscoring Englishman in the top flight behind Harry Kane, Ivan Toney and Marcus Rashford.
Bayern Munich’s interest in Watkins certainly isn’t of no surprise given the former Brentford man’s form and tremendous performances for Aston Villa this season.
But, more crucially, the 27-year-old seems a great fit for a Tuchel side because of his wonderful work ethic, ability to run the channels and of course, his clinical finishing in crucial moments – something the German giants have lacked all season.
However, Watkins is a player Aston Villa simply cannot do without, especially if they manage to secure their place amongst Europe’s elite next season.
Emery has indeed admitted that the club will be on the market for new attacking targets next summer but there is simply no guarantee they’ll be able to locate a suitable replacement for Watkins given the amount of top European outfits on the market for a consistent strike.
The Daily Mail reported (7 April) that Villa were in negotiations about a new bumper £100,000-a-week contract for the England international, which would make him one of the highest-paid players at Villa Park and considering Watkins’ invaluable importance to Emery, that is a deal the Villans must desperately get done if they are to secure his future in the West Midlands.
However, no official news of this contract has surfaced from the club since, and it remains a worry that Aston Villa could lose their star striker if Bayern Munich were to lodge a significant offer in the summer.
The Englishman’s turnaround from a forward short on confidence in front of goal to a player scoring goals for fun has been remarkable to witness.
During Villa’s last 14 Premier League games, which marked the period of Danny Ings’ departure to West Ham, Watkins has recorded four or more shots on eight different occasions. [WhoScored]
In Villa’s 11 matches prior to Emery and in the hands of Steven Gerrard this season, he only managed to take four or more shots on two occasions.
Furthermore, in his 11 matches under the Liverpool legend, Watkins only managed to score two goals and record two assists, compared to the 12 goals and three assists in 17 appearances under Emery – an absolute freak upturn in form but also highlighting how much of an impact the Spaniard can have on respective Aston Villa players.
Emery has provided Watkins with a tactical refining that has seen his progress and influence at Villa Park soar and that is something the club will be desperate to build on as the 27-year-old could well become one of the best of his position on the continent if he isn’t already.
This all depends on Watkins and where his head is at though. Does he see himself at a bigger club than Aston Villa in the near future or does he believe he can fulfil his undoubted potential under Emery?
What remains of paramount importance, however, is Villa securing their European place which could certainly sway the England international into remaining in the West Midlands.
Aston Villa may well receive a commendable fee for Watkins but there’s a case to argue that they simply cannot afford to lose him – you only need to check his stats under Emery’s management.
In other Aston Villa news, the club might have found the heir to James Milner after what Unai Emery did against Newcastle.