Everton could still sign Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins before deadline
Everton could still sign Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins before Thursday’s (1 September) deadline, as per journalist Simon Phillips.
The 26-year-old striker has been linked with a move to Goodison Park this summer, as reported by Football Insider on 19 August, and Phillips suggests that Villa would be open to letting him go.
The Toffees have bolstered their forward department by signing Neal Maupay from Brighton, but Watkins would be a terrific addition.
“Ollie Watkins, by the way, I’m definitely not ruling out. I think he’s still on the table, and I think Villa would be open to selling him,” said Phillips to GiveMeSport.
“There’s something there with him and Steven Gerrard. I’m not sure they completely see eye-to-eye, so that one, I think, could still be done.”
Unlikely
Watkins scored 11 goals last season for Villa, and chances are high that he won’t be sold this summer, certainly not on the deadline day.
Villa have made a poor start to the season, and Steven Gerrard probably won’t entertain any bid for his key players, at this stage of the window.
On top of that, Villa are expected to demand a high transfer fee for Watkins if they at all decide to part ways.
Everton have done remarkable business with their tight budget so far, and they won’t be able to spend big on Watkins. With Anthony Gordon staying put, it looks financially difficult for the Toffees to sign Watkins, even if Villa are ready to sell him.
The Toffees are likely to bolster their midfield instead. Idrissa Gueye and James Garner are expected to join before the deadline, and Lampard would be pretty happy with the squad.
Maupay is not a great goalscorer, but he would be a handy back-up option for the club.