Newcastle to ‘launch desperate bid for Ollie Watkins’ with Aston Villa willing to sell
Newcastle may have to turn to Ollie Watkins to end their striker woes this summer with Aston Villa willing to sell.
The Magpies are on the verge of missing out on yet another signing this summer, with Benjamin Sesko appearing to be on the verge of a move to Man United.
The Slovenia international, much like Hugo Ekitike before his move to Liverpool, was meant to be the answer at number nine.
Newcastle desperately need another striker, either to replace Alexander Isak or to pair with him as Eddie Howe’s side head into a season in which they will play Champions League football.
And in a striker market lacking in viable options for the top clubs, the stars may be aligning for the Magpies to finally secure only their third senior signing this summer.
Aston Villa sign Evann Guessand
Seemingly out of nowhere, Aston Villa agreed a deal with OGC Nice for Ivory Coast international Evann Guessand.
The striker will be the Villains’ first significant outlay of the summer, and his move to the Midlands opens the door for Ollie Watkins’ exit.
The former Brentford man was surprisingly dropped last season, as Unai Emery turned to loanee Marcus Rashford for key clashes with PSG and Man City.
Watkins has scored at least 11 Premier League goals in each of the last five seasons for his side, but with a World Cup on the horizon next summer, the striker will likely look to leave his current team if Unai Emery cannot guarantee him the playing time he needs.
It is unlikely that the Midlands side have spent a significant amount of their limited budget this summer on a new striker without the intention of him seeing plenty of playing time next season.
What’s more, Aston Villa are in a tricky spot financially after receiving a fine from UEFA and the threat of further sanctions in the future, and the 29-year-old’s sale would allow them some much-needed breathing room to make more additions this summer.
Ollie Watkins ‘second choice’ after Sesko
Former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson told Football Insider that Aston Villa would be willing to sell Watkins this summer if they received an acceptable offer.
There has been plenty of interest in the striker, but with Liverpool and Arsenal securing numbers nines and United close to getting Sesko, the Magpies have a clear shot at the England international.
Additionally, Mick Brown told Football Insider that Watkins would be wanted by Newcastle if they were unable to secure the Slovenian striker’s signature.
Whilst this summer has been one to forget for supporters of the North-Eastern club, options and time are running out, with the Premier League kicking off in less than two weeks.
Watkins brings with him a proven track record of scoring in both the Premier League and European competition, and with little else to choose from, Newcastle would be daft to hesitate and risk once again missing out on another summer target.