‘Ollie Watkins wants to join Liverpool after Arne Slot green light’
Liverpool are currently leading the likes of Arsenal and Man United in the race to sign Aston Villa star Ollie Watkins ahead of the summer transfer window.
That is according to former Man United and Blackburn chief scout Mick Brown, who remains very well-connected within the game, as he exclusively told Football Insider that the 29-year-old is interested in the chance to join Liverpool.
Arne Slot is believed to be unhappy with his current attacking options and could offer Watkins the chance to become the first-choice striker at Anfield.
Football Insider exclusively revealed on 21 April that Aston Villa will entertain Watkins’ sale should they receive offers of £50-60million.
The England international has opened the door to a move away from Villa amid growing frustration with his lack of playing time since Marcus Rashford’s arrival.
This comes after Brown told Football Insider that Liverpool, Arsenal, Man United and Chelsea want Watkins as he could be allowed to leave Villa Park this summer.
Liverpool plan to sign Ollie Watkins after Arne Slot claim
Brown told Football Insider in February that Liverpool want to sign a world-class forward amid growing frustrations about their current options.
Now, the former scout who has a wealth of experience in top-level player recruitment after working for a number of clubs including Aston Villa, has insisted that Watkins is viewed as one of the leading candidates for the position.
“Liverpool have won the league without much pressure,” he told Football Insider.
“Arsenal fell away and Man City have fallen off a cliff, that won’t be the case next season.
“So they know they will need better options in certain positions, and one of those positions is a centre-forward, because the manager isn’t happy with his options.
“They have a few ideas about which players they’re going to look at, and Ollie Watkins is one.
“The reason for that is he’s different to most strikers at the moment because he always wants to stretch the defence, drift wide and run in behind.
“That’s what Liverpool want to do, they want players who can threaten in behind.
“Salah is a perfect example, but that’s also why they signed the likes of Nunez and Diaz because they’re always willing to make those runs.
“Watkins does that very well, so Liverpool will be interested in him.
“When you’re Premier League champions, you always have the upper hand when it comes to transfers, particularly if you can offer a place in the starting XI.
“If you offered Watkins the chance to become the starting striker for Liverpool he’d want to make that move.
“So if he leaves Villa, there’s no doubt there will be interest, and Liverpool would be the favourites.”
Ibrahima Konate contract update emerges at Anfield
While Liverpool are looking to improve their squad with incoming deals ahead of the summer transfer window, they are also keen to hold on to their best players.
Football Insider revealed that Liverpool will hold talks with Ibrahima Konate as a matter of priority as Richard Hughes is pushing to reach an agreement.
As things stand, Konate will leave Liverpool for free in June 2026, but recent agreements with Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk have provided a boost in contract talks.
This comes as Football Insider revealed Real Madrid and PSG want to sign Konate and could capitalise on his contract situation to agree a deal this summer.
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