Door starts to open for sensational Newcastle swoop to sign Ollie Watkins
Ollie Watkins’ long-term future at Aston Villa has never looked bleaker.
The England international has been crucial to the Birmingham outfit’s rise up the Premier League.
However, despite his importance to the squad, Watkins was clearly frustrated with Unai Emery, as Marcus Rashford was often preferred in the starting XI.
As a result, speculation over his future at Villa Park began, and this has refused to cease so far this summer.
Now, another potential destination could be on the horizon for Watkins, as Newcastle target a new striker.
Watkins on Newcastle’s shortlist amid Alexander Isak transfer saga
Alongside Aston Villa, Newcastle United are also having a difficult transfer window.
The Magpies have missed out on multiple targets to the Premier League’s ‘big six’, and now, Alexander Isak could depart.
As a result, Newcastle are looking at potential replacements for the Swede, with a shortlist now prepared.
- Watkins is Villa’s all-time Premier League top scorer with 75 goals
- The striker was unhappy to be competing with Rashford for a spot in the starting XI last season
- Watkins has hit 14+ Premier League goals in four out of five seasons at Villa
According to the Daily Mail (30 July), Rodrigo Muniz, Yoane Wissa, and Benjamin Sesko are being considered. However, there is a feeling at Newcastle that the latter star will likely go to Manchester United.
Therefore, this could open the door for a move for Watkins, who is also on the Magpies’ shortlist, alongside Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson.
Can Villa live without Watkins?
Losing Watkins would no doubt be a massive blow to Villa, and replacing the England international could be even harder.
The striker contributed to 41.4 per cent of the Birmingham outfit’s Premier League goals last season, despite seven of his 38 appearances coming from the bench.
| Biggest goal contributions to a Premier League club in the 2024/25 campaign | Goals and assists | Percentage |
| Mohamed Salah | 47 | 54.7 per cent |
| Jarrod Bowen | 21 | 45.7 per cent |
| Alexander Isak | 29 | 42.6 per cent |
| Ollie Watkins | 24 | 41.4 per cent |
| Bryan Mbeumo | 27 | 40.9 per cent |
| Bruno Fernandes | 18 | 40.9 per cent |
This was the fourth highest out of any player in the top-flight, with Isak one place above him at 42.6 per cent, according to the Premier League (28 May)
Therefore, finding a way to replace this contribution will be extremely difficult, especially with so few elite attackers available in the market.
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