Aston Villa: Arsenal dropped into talk as Ben Foster shares £70m+ Ollie Watkins exit verdict
Aston Villa would not consider selling Ollie Watkins for any less than £100million, according to Mark Goldbridge.
The podcaster and radio personality was speaking to Ben Foster on the Football Fill In, in a clip posted by the former Manchester United and West Brom goalkeeper’s TikTok account.
Foster suggested that England striker Watkins has to be worth around £70-80m but Goldbridge thinks Villa would demand more for their superstar forward, especially given Jack Grealish went to Manchester City in a reported £100m deal (ESPN).
“Ollie Watkins right, I think if someone was to try and buy Ollie Watkins, I think he’ll cost the best part of £70-80m. But I don’t think anybody would want to buy Ollie Watkins. Is that a fair statement?” Foster asked.
Goldbridge replied: “Yeah, I mean more, they sold Grealish for £100m. Villa won’t sell him for any less than £100m.
“I think you’re right, I don’t think anyone would pay it but I think if you put him up front, I’ve said it two months ago when Arsenal were looking for a striker, if you put Ollie Watkins up front for Arsenal he’s going to score you 10 goals between now and the end of the season in the Premier League.
“That probably wins you the league, a player like that is absolutely invaluable and he probably doesn’t get the credit he deserves.”
Will Aston Villa sell Ollie Watkins to Arsenal?
Watkins has been in supreme form for Villa this season, scoring 21 goals across all competitions including 16 in the Premier League.
The 28-year-old has been linked with a move to title contenders Arsenal (Football London 23 December) this season such has been his excellent form for Unai Emery’s men.
Like Goldbridge and Foster allude to, though, it is hard to imagine Villa will look to sell their prized asset, especially if they can get over the line for Champions League qualification this season.
And if they did decide to cash-in then they will expect at a minimum what they received for Grealish and possibly even more given the premium you have to pay for strikers these days.
Watkins is one of the best forwards in European football let alone the Premier League so any team looking to prise him away will have to stump up some serious cash.
In other Aston Villa news, a finance expert says a Premier League agreement is needed after a latest PSR update.
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