Aston Villa: £100m+ Ollie Watkins fee mooted as Arsenal want to complete summer transfer
Arsenal would need to pay more than £100million if they want to sign Aston Villa forward Ollie Watkins, according to Ty Bracey.
Fichajes reported on its website on 19 February that the Gunners are preparing a “bold” move to take the England international to the Emirates in the summer transfer window.
The Spanish news outlet added that a deal to land the 28-year-old forward could far exceed €100million (£85.7million) after he has been in impressive form for Villa this season.
Bracey understands that Watkins may have a desire to go and play for his boyhood club in North London, but he hopes he decides to remain at Villa Park after playing a “massive” part in the Villans’ journey back in the Premier League over the past few years.
Speaking exclusively to Villa News, Bracey said: “Personally, I don’t think he’s for sale. But I think it’s going to take more than £100million to sell him.
“People can probably say he’s not worth triple figures, but you have to remember that you can’t buy a player, it’s illegal. You’re buying them out of their contract. Ollie Watkins is massively important to us as a striker.
“The question really is not how much is he worth, it’s how much will it cost us to replace him. That is where you have to look. If we’re going to sell him, what’s the cost for us to get the same profile of player for the price?
“I know he supports Arsenal, but it would be nice for him to stick with us on this journey. If Arsenal come poaching and pay the money Villa want and that’s him going to play for his boyhood club, then by all means if that’s what he feels he needs to do and is best for his career with England calls up in mind.
“But he’s been a massive part of this journey for us back in the Premier League and I’d like to see him go all the way with us as our striker for the forseeable. I don’t want him to leave.”
Aston Villa must keep hold of Ollie Watkins amid Arsenal interest
It’s incredibly important for Villa that they can keep hold of a player like Watkins after he has proved himself to be one of the Premier League’s best forwards this season.
As Bracey points out, it would be hard to source a replacement for the Englishman after he’s scored 19 goals and laid on 12 assists in 36 appearances during this campaign.
That form has helped Unai Emery’s side mount a challenge for the Champions League places and the Spaniard will be hoping he can keep hold of his star man at Villa Park beyond this year.
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