Ollie Watkins on the bench at Aston Villa
Ollie WatkinsImago

Aston Villa: How 'goalscoring machine' will impact Ollie Watkins' potential next transfer

Max Wilkins

Senior Correspondent AUTHORITY Senior sports journalist with experience at GRV Media and VAVEL; University of Derby graduate. FOCUS Exclusive content, statistical analysis, and deep-dive reporting across the Breaking Media network. THE INSIGHT Max utilises a network of club and industry contacts to deliver verified, exclusive reporting and data-driven insight. He provides the intelligence behind the stories to ensure fans get the full picture.

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Aston Villa star Ollie Watkins continues to be linked with a move to Fenerbahce.

The England international is coming off the back of a frustrating World Cup campaign.

The 30-year-old made just one appearance, outside of the third place play-off, consisting of six minutes against Panama in the group stage.

He is now on holiday and is yet to link up with his B6 teammates as they tour Indonesia, Thailand and Hong Kong.

That hasn't distracted from the rumours linking him with a move away from Villa Park this summer.

Fenerbahce are showing a keen interest in Watkins as another move looks set to impact proceedings.

Fenerbahce make offer after Ollie Watkins latest

The striker has just scored 21 in all competitions for the Villans ahead of the World Cup.

That didn't reflect at the summer tournament as Thomas Tuchel was clearly uninterested.

Fenerbahce do have their eye on Watkins, as covered by Villa News, despite what happened on the international stage.

It appears that their interest has now come to a sudden halt as the Turkiye Lig giants have turned attention towards Serhou Guirassy, as Villa don't want to sell Watkins.

The Borussia Dortmund man was described by Owen Hargreaves as a "goal machine" this season and looks to be Fener's alternative to the Englishman right now.

That comes from Turkish journalist Sercan Hamzaoglu who spoke out via Fener Global on Sunday.

He said: "It's not happening with that club [Aston Villa] either. They've not let him [Watkins] go.

"Right now, the closest option they see is Guirassy. If that player's salary comes down, Fenerbahce will sign him.

"He's asking for the same money that Sadettin Saran initially offered. Saran offered £10million plus £1.7m in bonuses, and they've confirmed that was correct."

That could see the door close on a Watkins exit and give everyone in B6 the news they've been waiting for.

Ollie Watkins on the bench at Aston Villa
Why Aston Villa have fresh Ollie Watkins hope thanks to Fenerbahce

How Tammy Abraham will be impacted by Watkins' Aston Villa stay

There has been a genuine fear in B6 that the striker would be on his way out this summer.

He has been a great servant for the Villans and would be a serious miss.

That may not be the same feeling that Tammy Abraham has right now as he may have had his sights set on the number nine role moving forward.

The ex-Besiktas man also faces a pretty uncertain future in the Midlands despite only returning six months ago.

That certainly won't be helped should Watkins stick around, especially if another attacking option comes through the door.

It could prove to be an interesting end to the window for all involved.

www.astonvillanews.co.uk