Newcastle United are fielding interest in their star striker Alexander Isak from Premier League champions Liverpool
Ollie Watkins has been finding the net for Aston Villa during their pre-season tour of the United States
Ollie Watkins has been finding the net for Aston Villa during their pre-season tour of the United States
Ollie Watkins has emerged as an option for Newcastle United as the Magpies contemplate life without talisman Alexander Isak.
Swedish striker Isak has enjoyed back-to-back 20-goal Premier League campaigns with Newcastle to attract the attention of the world’s biggest clubs and reportedly wants out of St James’ Park.
Liverpool tested the waters with a bid of around £110million earlier this week that Newcastle rejected. Newcastle have reportedly placed a £150m valuation on Isak for this summer’s transfer window.
Should the deal accelerate, Aston Villa could be offered a chunk of that cash for Watkins with ChronicleLive claiming the England international is wanted by the Magpies.
Watkins scored another 16 goals in the top flight last term to enhance his reputation as one of the Premier League’s most reliable marksmen. In doing so he became Villa’s all-time leading Premier League goalscorer, surpassing Gabby Agbonlahor’s record of 74.
Villa shunned interest from Arsenal in Watkins in January and rumours of interest in the 29-year-old have continued into the summer.
Arsenal have solved their striker shortage by signing Isak’s international teammate Viktor Gyokeres but Manchester United and now Newcastle are apparently keen on Watkins.
ChronicleLive states: “Villa could look to sell Watkins for around £60m but Newcastle are waiting for ‘encouragement’ from the second city side.
“Watkins would come under serious consideration if Alexander Isak does quit but Howe stated that there is a scenario that exists with Isak staying and a top name coming in and he said he will ‘support’ Isak no matter what.”
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