According to the BBC, Aston Villa are closing in on the signing of Ollie Watkins in a deal that could be worth a staggering £33m.
This comes after they were forced to accept defeat in their pursuit of Callum Wilson over the weekend, with the player preferring to seal a move to Tyneside instead.
Since then, it looks like they’ve shifted their attentions to Ollie Watkins – a player claimed to be on our summer shortlist prior to Wilson’s arrival, according to The Chronicle.
That said, some are blown away by the fee they look set to play for the talented but Premier League unproven striker, with the BBC’s Chief writer Phil McNulty revealing that the fee could rise from £28m to £33m!
Watkins does look a very good player, it must be said. His pace, stature, movement and ability to bring others into play really impressed me over Brentford’s run to the play-off finals last summer, not to mention his 26 goals across 2019/20.
That said, I can’t help but wonder if we’ve got the better deal paying two thirds of that potential £33m fee on Callum Wilson.
Wilson may have the lower ceiling and is four years older at 28, however Watkins will arrive as a bigger risk given he’s yet to kick a ball in the Premier League.
Should Watkins make the move, it’ll be Ivan Toney who’ll come into the Bees starting 11 for 2020/21, with the former Mag’s recent move to Brentford earning us a few million quid via a 30% sell-on clause.
Follow us on Twitter (@NUFCBlogcouk) and on Facebook HERE
Good luck to Aston Villa but I wouldn’t have liked to pay £28-33m for the lad.
He looked a willing and decent striker in the Championship but lacks a little bit of drive and physicality from what I’ve seen of him. Young enough to improve however and if he comes good the price will have been worth it.
Should remember, though, that Gayle scored for fun in the second league but has never risen to the challenge fully in the Premiership.
Really – it’s all about luck. Every transfer for a striker is a gamble
taken4mugs(Quote)
Villa could have potentially been absolutely spanked on this transfer. Most definitely a risk given that scoring 20+ goals in the championship is no guarantee of even breaking double figures in the premier. Having said that I can’t say I watched much of Brentford last season, so I can’t really give an eye test opinion on Watkins.
Kevin(Quote)
You could look at it another way Wilson is 28 signed 4 year deal and is on 100K a week. Watkins younger but yes unproven but huge potential will be on say 50k a week so it depends how you look at what’s the better deal Wel find out during the season
Melissa C(Quote)
If Villa hadn’t agreed to pay this fee, somebody else (like Spurs) would have stepped in. Like many other Villa fans, I have waited for years for them to sign a proven striker so let’s hope Ollie turns out to be that person. By the way didn’t Jamie Vardy start in the lower divisions; he hasn’t done too badly, has he?
Rob(Quote)
Risky Buisness Yes he done it in Champ but can he succeed in P.L
Panic buying for me age is only Positive over Wilson for me .Wish him all the Best n please stop comparing Gayle he’s never even been given a fair crack at the whip in P.L when he does get his game he scores he’s nevr had a fair chance in the Premiership.
Kane(Quote)
Cisse available again to old n too expensive for Big Mike at 3 M Surely however think he’s got another few P.L Seasons left in the Tank why not ??
Kane(Quote)
Both strikers present a risk: Wilson because he is highly injury prone and has probably achieved his ceiling potential wise, but, if you can keep him fit he will certainly be better than anything you have or were likely to get for £20m; Watkins because he is unproven in the top division, but he does appear to have all of the tools to be a top striker and also offers a versatility that is really useful.
As a Villa fan, I am far more excited by the prospect of Watkins than I was by Wilson (he has the potential, I believe, to be a top striker), BUT that comes at a price – another 50% on top.
barry’sboots(Quote)