Aston Villa: Ollie Watkins monitored by clubs, he wants Champions League football
Ollie Watkins will be hard to keep hold of if he impresses for England in the coming months and big clubs are already monitoring the Aston Villa ace, says Alan Hutton.
The Villans ace might have the opportunity to lead the line for the Three Lions in upcoming friendlies against Brazil and Belgium as captain Harry Kane is struggling with an ankle injury (BBC Sport).
With Euro 2024 on the horizon, too, Watkins will be hoping to make a big impression for his country in the next few months and if he does then his stock with potential suitors could grow even higher.
Former Villans defender Hutton, speaking exclusively to Villa News, believes the club are doing their best to meet the player’s desires – including playing in the Champions League – but accepts other teams will be monitoring him.
“I mean, obviously, if for whatever reason Kane’s not playing and he goes into these games and does well, he goes into the summer – I don’t think you’re ever going to dislodge Kane, if he’s fit he plays – but just for talking’s sake he starts the Euros and does really well, of course it’s going to be hard to keep hold of him,” he said.
“He’s at a stage of his career where he’s going to be looking for a big move, there’ll be big clubs out there monitoring his situation, of course there will, but that’s all ifs and buts.
“I mean we can only look at what he’s doing at this moment in time and he’s been incredible. I think Villa are going in the right direction for him and what he wants.
“He probably wants to play Champions League football and things like that, so he’s in a good place I think at this moment in time.
“It really depends on what the offer would be and the team it is. We’re only speculating at this moment in time, it’s difficult to put figures on it. He’s having an outstanding season.”
Will England star Ollie Watkins leave Aston Villa?
There are so many factors to consider before knowing what Villa’s chances of keeping Watkins this summer are.
Firstly, you feel, it will depend on whether Unai Emery’s side can qualify for the Champions League next season – if they don’t then Watkins might get itchy feet about wanting to play Europe’s premier competition.
There is also still a bit of uncertainty about Villa’s Profit and Sustainability situation, it might be that they look at the potential to get a huge sum from Watkin’s to stay the right side of that line.
And, moreover, if Watkins does get the chance to shine for England in the coming week and at Euro 2024 then his stock might rise even further. It’s a wait-and-see situation at this moment in time.
In other Aston Villa news, one ace is a huge miss after a “reckless” incident.
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