Aston Villa make long-term play with cost of Ollie Watkins contract – Finance Expert
We’re delighted to welcome football finance expert Dr Daniel Plumley as our exclusive columnist, he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at Aston Villa.
Dan Plumley has insisted that Aston Villa have made a longer-term play by securing the future of Ollie Watkins, with a significant cost likely needed.
The club confirmed the new five-year deal on 06 October, with Unai Emery sharing that talks were underway over the contract for weeks before that.
The finance expert admitted that the Villans took a gamble on Watkins when signing him, but he is now integral to the club, who have now secured future value in the striker.
“They took a gamble on him a few years back and that looks to have paid off with how integral he is to that side and the future value he may have,” he exclusively told Villa News.
“With his England caps and putting himself on the radar as the number two striker behind Harry Kane at the minute, that is good for his profile and for Villa, he’s obviously been very successful in that team in recent years.
“Aston Villa have put faith in him first and foremost, then being able to renegotiate a contract, that will have a cost and he will have done quite well out of that as well.
“There is a longer-term play there with his rewards for Villa on the pitch and it just seems to be working at the minute.
“It’s a good deal all around for the finances and the potential profile of the player and Aston Villa.”
In other Aston Villa news, NSWE have made yet another shrewd decision after signing off on transfer business