Cole Palmer is reportedly pushing Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins to Stamford Bridge, with Chelsea keen on securing the services of the English international this summer.
According to a report by Football Insider, Ollie Watkins is the subject of interest from Chelsea. The Blues are keen on signing a prolific striker in the summer transfer window. The West London club might have help from Cole Palmer, with the youngster urging the Aston Villa mainstay.
The rise of Ollie Watkins
Ollie Watkins has established himself as one of the best strikers in the Premier League since joining Aston Villa from Brentford in September 2020. A native of Torquay, the Englishman began his youth career at Newton Town & Buckland Athletic but graduated from the academy at Exeter City after spending most of his formative years at the club.
The 28-year-old striker rose in prominence after joining Brentford from Exeter City in July 2017. Watkins took some time to get going at Villa Park but has become a pivotal figure for the West Midlands club. The player has turned out 169 times thus far for Aston Villa while chipping in with 70 goals and 26 assists.
Meanwhile, the England international striker’s progress has not gone unnoticed, capturing the attention of several high-profile clubs across the Premier League. A move to London might be on the cards in the summer transfer window if Watkins shockingly leaves Aston Villa, with Chelsea vying for his signature.
London calling?
Chelsea’s interest in Ollie Watkins is understandable. The Blues have been scouring the market for a striker heading into the summer transfer window after Nicolas Jackson blew hot and cold in the final third last season. The Aston Villa talisman has thus emerged as a viable target for Chelsea.
However, a summer move might be a tall order, with Aston Villa unwilling to entertain any offers to sell the 28-year-old Englishman. Meanwhile, Cole Palmer has urged Watkins to leave Aston Villa and join Chelsea in the summer transfer window.
Palmer and Watkins have struck a close bond in England’s camp for UEFA Euro 2024, with the former setting up the latter’s match-winning goal against the Netherlands in the semi-finals. So, it will be interesting to see if Palmer can convince Watkins to join Chelsea in the coming weeks.
