The latest Newcastle United transfer news and rumours amid speculation around Ollie Watkins.
Ollie Watkins in action for Aston Villa.
Newcastle United have been linked with a swoop for Ollie Watkins.
(Image: Getty Images)
Newcastle United have become the latest club to consider a chase for Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins - it has been claimed. Eddie Howe's side are in the market for a new No.9 and the 29-year-old has emerged as a shock target.
Watkins, who signed for Villa in a £30million deal from Brentford back in 2020, has been a revelation for the west Midlands club, scoring 87 times and providing 42 assists in 223 appearances across the last five years.
However, with Watkins set to turn 30 in December, speculation has increased surrounding his long-term future at Villa Park. Arsenal were linked with a move back in January, while Manchester United are also admirers.
Now, according to the Daily Mail, Watkins has emerged as a name mentioned by figures at Newcastle following Callum Wilson's departure. The Magpies want a new frontman to compete with Alexander Isak and both Watkins and Brentford's Yoane Wissa have been 'discussed' by the club's board, as per reports.
It's added that it remains to be seen whether Watkins - or Wissa - would be willing to come in and compete with Isak, who is Newcastle's first-choice centre forward. Both would cost a significant sum and neither Watkins, 29, or Wissa, 28, boast much sell-on value due their age and potential.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin is another striker linked with Newcastle and he's a free agent after his contract expired at Everton. The England international, however, hasn't started a Premier League game since January, after suffering a long-term hamstring injury, and only returned to fitness near the end of the season.
Watkins, meanwhile, might be an enticing option for Newcastle given his impressive record against Howe's team. He has scored five times and added three assists in nine appearances against the Magpies. As well as being able to put the ball in the net, Watkins is a huge threat off the ball and always causes issues.
Elsewhere, Newcastle are closing in on their blockbuster deal to sign Anthony Elanga from Nottingham Forest. The Toon agreed a £55million fee for the Swede earlier this week and he has since travelled to Tyneside for his medical. Elanga, 23, is expected to sign a long-term contract at St James' Park.
Former Manchester United winger Elanga scored six goals and produced 11 assists for Forest last season. Newcastle wanted to sign him last summer - only for the Reds to reject a proposal.