Aston Villa braced for Liverpool’s bid for Ollie Watkins

Aston Villa is preparing for a bid from Liverpool boss Arne Slot for striker Ollie Watkins, who signed a long-term contract in October. Watkins, who scored 19 Premier League goals, has been linked with a move to Barcelona. Liverpool is also considering alternatives to Darwin Nunez, who has been linked with a move to Barcelona. Watkins, who signed a new deal, expressed his commitment to Villa.

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May 30, 2024

Aston Villa is preparing for a bid from new Liverpool boss Arne Slot for striker Ollie Watkins. Watkins, whose 19 Premier League goals helped Villa secure a Champions League spot, signed a long-term contract in October. However, SunSport understands that Slot admires the 28-year-old England international, putting Villa in a position to battle for his retention.

Liverpool has doubts about Darwin Nunez, who has been linked with a move to Barcelona. Nunez, without a goal in his last ten games, finished the season with 11 goals and eight assists in 36 Premier League appearances. His performance has led Liverpool to view Watkins as a potential replacement. Villa boss Unai Emery is considering alternatives as Watkins scored a career-best 27 goals this season, including eight in their Europa Conference League semi-final run.

His form earned him a spot in Gareth Southgate’s provisional Euro 2024 squad, where he competes with Ivan Toney to be Harry Kane’s understudy. Watkins, who signed a new deal last year to stay at Villa Park until 2028, expressed his commitment, saying, “I feel like this is the best place for me to play my football. I’ve still got a lot to achieve here.”

Here is the highlight video of Olie Watkins’s skills and goals for Aston Villa.