Ollie Watkins has emerged as a striker option for Newcastle United, as Eddie Howe aims to replace Callum Wilson.
It was announced on Monday that Callum Wilson has left Newcastle United, leaving the Magpies desperately short of forward options. Heading into the new season, Alexander Isak and Will Osula are the only senior strikers at the club.
That is why Newcastle are stepping up their bid to sign a striker, despite being well aware of how difficult it will be to bring in an understudy for Isak.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Yoane Wissa are targets, while the Daily Mail report that the Magpies have also discussed making a move for Aston Villa and England forward Ollie Watkins.
The 29-year-old would be a ridiculously good signing, but this is not the first time that Newcastle United have targeted him.
Ollie Watkins celebrates after scoring for Brentford against Preston North End in the Championship.
Photo by Andy Kearns/CameraSport via Getty Images
Newcastle United had their chance to buy Ollie Watkins in 2020
In the summer of 2020, Newcastle United were trying to sign a striker. Steve Bruce needed to add goals to his side, which is why Callum Wilson arrived from Bournemouth for £20million.
But before Wilson moved to the North East, Watkins was a player who the Magpies considered.
The Chronicle reported in August 2020 that Newcastle United were interested in signing Watkins, who played for Brentford at the time.
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He had no Premier League experience, but was on the back of scoring 25 Championship goals for the Bees. Watkins looked destined to make the step up to the top flight, with Newcastle one of the clubs that considered giving him that opportunity.
However, it was not Newcastle who brought Watkins to the Premier League. Instead, it was Aston Villa. They paid big money to sign him from Brentford, with Watkins arriving at Villa Park for an initial £28million.
In contrast, Newcastle spent £8million less on a more experienced player who was proven in the Premier League. Wilson joined the Magpies at the age of 28, while Villa took the risk on the 24-year-old Watkins.
Both sides can be happy with their decision, as Wilson went on to become a Newcastle United legend. However, the chance to bring Watkins to Tyneside passed them by.
Ollie Watkins to Newcastle United in 2025 is extremely unlikely
Fast forward five years and Newcastle United officials are talking about signing Watkins again.
However, the landscape is very different. Newcastle United are a Champions League club with lofty ambitions, while Watkins is a top-level Premier League goalscorer and England international.
Signing him would be a dream for Eddie Howe. It would mean that he boasts two of the Premier League’s best and most reliable goalscorers.
But it is the presence of Isak that makes a move to the North East unlikely for Watkins. At Aston Villa, he is the main man. At Newcastle, he would be competing with Isak for that honour. And while Watkins is an outstanding player, there is only going to be one winner between him and Isak.
Unless Newcastle can give Watkins assurances that he will play regularly alongside or instead of Isak, there is surely no chance of him arriving at St James’ Park.