Ollie Watkins could cost over £75 million if Arsenal and Chelsea attempt to sign the England international during the January window.
Neil Moxley via Give Me Sport has claimed that Ollie Watkins would cost well over £75 million in the January transfer window. Arsenal and Chelsea have been keeping tabs on the Aston Villa star ahead of the winter market. But the Midlands side are not concerned about a mid-season departure.
Some of the top Premier League teams will enter the January transfer window looking for a new striker. The idea of bringing a forward with a pedigree in the league will always prove an expensive affair, with Arsenal and Chelsea among those reportedly considering moves for a new frontman.
Those sides have kept a close eye on Ollie Watkins after a stellar start to the new campaign. In nine games, the English international, currently on a £130,000-a-week deal, has contributed to 14 goals, including five assists, which has alerted those who were interested in the forward before.
Arsenal have considered a move in January, but they also have other names on their list. Mikel Arteta has wanted a different striker in his squad, with the team lacking a focal point up front. They do have Kai Havertz to do that, and in recent games, the manager has trusted him in the no.9 role, but only as a substitute.
With the German growing in his role, there are chances that Arsenal may abort their pursuit of a new striker and focus on bringing in a wide attacker. Pedro Neto remains one of their key targets. Between signing a centre-forward and a winger, Arteta might choose to spend on the latter.
Chelsea, on the other hand, are in dire need of a new striker. They must have spent a truckload of money on many young players but decided not to invest in a traditional No.9. They have retained an interest in Watkins. Still, there are questions about him fitting into their age bracket for new players.
Then again, Watkins signed a new five-year contract earlier this month, which makes it tricky for interested parties to make a move in January. As per Neil Moxley, the £130,000-a-week English international will cost over £75 million in the current market but claimed Aston Villa are not overly concerned about a mid-season departure.
Arsenal and Chelsea were also told to pay £65 million for Ivan Toney. The Brentford star falls in the Watkins category of strikers and will come in demand during January. The only difference between those two is that the Bees are open to a sale, but Aston Villa will fight hard to retain his and have the power to do so.
