The transfer value of Aston Villa's young striker has skyrocketed to €65 million, per Transfermarkt, a significant leap from his initial €30 million price tag when he joined the club in 2020. The 28-year-old striker was instrumental in England's Euro campaign, scoring a dramatic 90th-minute winner against the Netherlands, propelling his team to the final.
"Unbelievable. I’ve been waiting for that moment for weeks. It’s taken a lot of hard work to get to where I am now. I’m grateful I got the opportunity and I grabbed it with both hands and I’m delighted," said Watkins after the game.
"I swear on my life, on my kids’ lives, I said to Cole Palmer ‘We’re coming on and you’re going to set me up’ and that’s why I was so happy with Coley, I knew as soon as he got the ball he was going to play me," he continued. "You’ve got to be greedy, touch and shoot and when I see it going into the bottom corner it’s the best feeling ever."
Despite swirling transfer rumors involving Liverpool in May, Aston Villa has shown no inclination to part with its star forward. Watkins' current contract, which runs through the 2028 season, ensures his presence at Villa Park for the foreseeable future unless the team wants to cash in.
The link to Watkins for the Reds emerged amid reports suggesting that new coach Arne Slot may not favor Darwin Nunez despite his solid performance last season. Nunez netted 11 goals and provided eight assists in 22 starts; his final goal last season came in an April 3-1 win over Sheffield.
Ollie Watkins celebrates his game-winning goal
Ollie Watkins celebrates his game-winning goal (Image: Getty)
Another team eager to make waves in the transfer window is Arsenal, whose fanbase has already taken to social media, passionately calling for the young striker's signature. As Gunner fans dream of the dynamic striker donning the iconic red and white kit, he previously spoke about his club for the club at the London Football Awards in 2020.
"That's the dream to play for Arsenal one day. But it's a long shot," he said. "It's only because my family support them and stuff like that. But that's a long-term [goal]."
When Watkins made his comments, Arsenal had rattled off five straight wins to finish the Premier League season in 8th place with 61 points. In contrast, Liverpool finished third with 69 points. Since then, Arsenal has steadily climbed the ranks, ultimately finishing second to Manchester City in a thrilling title race last season, missing out on the top spot by just three points.
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