Aston Villa ‘could lose Watkins to Newcastle’ as £100m+ news emerges
Ollie Watkins has been very transparent about his frustrations this month in terms of game time at Aston Villa.
The England striker was left out of the starting XI by Unai Emery for both the Champions League quarter-final second leg against Paris Saint-Germain, and the last outing in the Premier League at Manchester City.
The two matches saw Emery start loanee Marcus Rashford instead, with Watkins scoring inside the first minute of the start he received in between, against Newcastle United at Villa Park (19 April).
Newcastle £100m transfer could see Watkins emerge as target
Watkins was the subject of a £60million bid from Arsenal in the January transfer window, an offer Aston Villa refused to entertain given they had sanctioned Jhon Duran’s switch to Al-Nassr.
When it appeared Watkins would reignite his status as the undisputed main man up top, Emery has shuffled his pack in recent weeks and provided a different vein of competition.
The striker is under contract until 2028 but has not completed a full 90 minutes since he scored the winner at former club Brentford on 8 March, and should Villa qualify again for the Champions League, further blood might be brought in.
Interest is evidently still high in Watkins, who remains one of the most capable runners in-behind in Europe, and one transfer rumoured elsewhere in the Premier League could have a knock-on effect for Villa to be wary about.
According to football finance expert Dan Plumley via Liverpool News (29 March), the imminent Premier League champions could consider lining up a gargantuan £100million bid for Newcastle striker Alexander Isak.
Should the Magpies’ prized possession leave St James’ Park – having also been linked with Arsenal in the past – Watkins is likely to be one of several significant targets.
Newcastle were on the verge of signing Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin last summer, but the out-of-contract Toffees man has had a rough season and would not be considered an adequate Isak replacement.
Aston Villa should keep hold of Watkins
Aston Villa need to be sure of what they’ve got with Watkins. He offers something rather similar to Isak when playing as a striker, with his agile runs, sharp ability on the ball and superb finishing.
He is of a different profile to Rashford, who is more of a ball carrier, preferable behind a set-play and more likely to offer an outlet out of nothing when playing in a side on the back foot.
Rashford, however, has a situation entirely different to that of Watkins, who Villa can decide to keep and affirm to him he is their number one attacking option.
| Ollie Watkins – minutes played in April | Minutes |
| Brighton (A) | 26 |
| Nott’m Forest (H) | 62 |
| PSG (A) | 12 |
| Southampton (A) | 25 |
| PSG (H) | 15 |
| Newcastle (H) | 83 |
| Man City (A) | 15 |
Despite the £40million option the Villans reportedly have to buy Rashford, awkward conversations will have to be thrashed out with Manchester United – not to mention the player himself may want a change of scenery away from the Premier League.
Emery’s long-term option remains Watkins, who can now score one more league goal to surpass Gabby Agbonlahor’s Premier League record.
But next up, it’s Wembley and FA Cup semi-final action for the claret and blue machine, who prepare to take on Crystal Palace (26 April) off the back of their draw at Arsenal.