Aston Villa to agree ‘major deal that would be perfect for Ollie Watkins’ as striker news emerges
Aston Villa could be set to give Ollie Watkins the perfect January boost.
Watkins has struggled for Villa this season, having failed to hit the heights of years gone by after scoring just seven Premier League goals so far.
Unai Emery has continued to stand by the England international and has even sold Donyell Malen to Roma to show new faith in his number 11.
That hasn’t stopped the Villans from assessing new striker targets this winter, with Tammy Abraham linked with a Villa return, seven years after his B6 loan stint ended.
Attention now seems to have moved away from Abraham temporarily, with another new striker being lined up to join Watkins in claret and blue.
Aston Villa interested in Crystal Palace star Jean-Philippe Mateta
Villa have been linked to Jean-Philippe Mateta previously, but are now central to fresh January links at Selhurst Park.
The France international has been strongly linked with a January move as Juventus have shown keen interest in the striker.
It now looks unlikely that the 28-year-old will be on his way to Serie A, leaving the door open for Villa to express interest.
David Ornstein reported on Tuesday that Villa are interested in Mateta, while Crystal Palace are evaluating Evann Guessand.
Former B6 scout Bryan King has suggested that the signing of the Frenchman would be massive and could represent good news for Watkins.
Speaking exclusively to Villa News, King said: “It would be a good move for him to go to Villa.
“If Villa could pull that off, it would be a major signing, and it would be perfect for Ollie Watkins.
“He could show that Villa are looking to appease Watkins because it could be a perfect little and large combination.
“If Guessand goes the other way to Palace, it’ll probably be him plus another £10m.
“I would sooner have Mateta rather than Guessand.“
Aston Villa winners of Mateta and Guessand swap deal
If the Villans could bring the striker to the Midlands, it would be a true sign of intent after a largely frustrating January to this point.
Having lost Malen and failed to replace him yet, any annoyance in claret and blue could be subsided if Mateta were to come in.
That would only be boosted if Guessand was to form a part of the deal after a hugely disappointing spell since his summer move from OGC Nice.
The Ivory Coast international has failed to adapt to life in the Premier League and looks far from what the Villans paid over £30m for less than six months ago.
To swap him for a guarantee of goals at the top level in the shape of Mateta could prove to be the best business anyone does this winter.
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