After yesterday’s report that Ollie Watkins’ protracted move to Villa Park was near completion, the club today confirmed through official channels the 24 year old has joined on a 5 year deal.
Watkins arrives with a fine goalscoring pedigree having netted 26 times in the Championship, as Brentford just missed out on promotion to the Premier League last term.
The former Exeter City youngster, managed previously by Smith whilst he was boss at Griffin Park, tranfers for an initial £28 million. This exceptional fee could rise yet further, with Villa set to pay up to £33 million with add-ons.
RASHICA RUMOUR
Dean Smith now has to ponder another important question ahead of the new season; who will deliver the opportunities for Watkins to flourish in his first top flight season?
Contrary to our difficult league form last term, chance creation wasn’t particularly grim. Indeed, Jack Grealish was amongst the very best in terms of chance creation in the division, whilst Conor Hourihane contributed a number of important assists despite being in and out of the team.
What Villa did lack was a predatory and instinctive finisher in front of goal. With Wesley injured, Samatta a going concern and Davis arguably out of his depth, moving for a clinical striker has been a priority all summer.
Villa have been consistently rumoured to retain an interest Kosovan international Milot Rashica [Read more about him here]. The Werder Bremen attacking midfielder / winger continues to be linked with a host of clubs including Napoli, Brighton and newly promoted Leeds United.
Earlier reports of a mammoth switch to an elite level European club appear to have cooled, with the 24 year old’s €38m valuation now reduced to a more sensible €22-€25m.
The winger would undoutedly appeal, not just for the fact that he is entering the prime of his career, but that Rashica fired 11 vital goals and contributed 8 assists in a struggling Bundesliga side.
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I would love to see him at Villa Park. Ideally with Benrhama on the other side and Jack at 10 behind Watkins or Brewster. What a front four that would be!!!
Not sure about the Rashica rumour. I feel like it’s his club / agent trying to drum up attention. And the apparent stance on joining Villa “wants to play in the Champions League / doesn’t want to join a club in a relegation battle” isn’t encouraging. I’d rather sign players who clearly want to join the club and who are delighted to be here (Cash, Watkins).
All that said, Rashica is clearly a very talented player and would no doubt improve the team. It just seems as though the player himself wants to either a: join a Champions’ League side, b: stay in Germany but preferably c: both.
I know we’ve just given Brentford a fortune, but I’d still be trying everything to get Benrahma over the line as well. Knows Dean, knows Ollie, settled in the UK… hopefully it’d be a smooth transition.
Not that I’m disappointed with our sighnings, but when I see what some other teams around us, ish, like Brighton, Newcastle and Everton! Bloody hell, they’ve all bought some really good players, unfortunately we need to spend a shed load more if we want more quality and experience in the team.
I think we should try and persuade Rashica to sign and also go for Rico Henry, as we our “back up” left back at the mo is …Taylor. Just glad we got Watkins, at one time it looked like we had given up on him and were going for Callum Wilson. Thank God that didn’t happen it would have been like being invited out for a 3 course meal and ending up with a bag of chips.