West Ham want to sign Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins
West Ham United are turning their transfer attentions towards Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins, according to Claret and Hugh.
The England international has often been forced onto the wing this season with Danny Ings taking the role as the club’s main man through the middle.
Despite that, and the arrival of Philippe Coutinho as competition, Watkins has scored nine times this season with the Villains coasting towards the season’s end in mid-table obscurity.
The 26-year-old is under contract at Villa Park for another four years – until 2026 – but a club insider told Claret and Hugh “It’s become clear Villa are not interested in selling the player but that won’t stop us trying.”
The popular West Ham insiders were also told that they now have no interest in Brentford number nine Ivan Toney despite previous interest in the Bees’ talisman.
Relieve the pressure
It appears to be clear that if a move for Watkins is made, the Hammers may have to break the bank in order to get it over the line which could be a cause for concern.
The club would surely rather pay a fraction of the price for someone else more unproven with the potential to become great over spending big on someone who wouldn’t massively improve the side.
He is still a great player and, given the right team around him, he could be someone who challenges for the Premier League golden boot but is it really worth going all out for him.
One upside to Watkins is his ability to play out wide as well as the central striker which would allow David Moyes to rotate him and Michail Antonio in both who starts or even where they play.
There is a world in which they would both start and one would be the left-winger to begin with before they alternate throughout the game, causing havoc in the opposition defence.
In other West Ham news, Paul Merson has predicted Sunday’s Premier League clash against Chelsea.
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