‘Blimey’ – Exclusive: Pundit suggests West Brom may beat Aston Villa to 24y/o striker deal
We’re delighted to welcome former West Brom striker Kevin Phillips as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at The Hawthorns…
Kevin Phillips has suggested that West Brom might be able to beat Aston Villa to signing Ollie Watkins from Brentford this summer.
According to the Daily Mail, the Baggies, Villa and Crystal Palace are all keen on signing the 24-year-old after he scored 26 goals across all competitions for Brentford last season.
Although Watkins was on fire in the Championship, he was unable to help his side win promotion to the Premier League and that has led to BBC Sport reporting an £18million release clause has become active in his contract.
Aston Villa are managed by Watkins’ former Brentford manager Dean Smith but Phillips, who played for both West Brom and Villa, believes Slaven Bilic might stand a better chance of striking a deal this summer.
“It’s a difficult one. Blimey,” Phillips told West Brom News when asked if Aston Villa could beat the Baggies to Watkins.
“With the bookies, they’re both likely to be in a relegation battle and I would probably have to agree with the bookies at the moment.
“It’s a flip of a coin but Aston Villa have got players like Samatta and Wesley whereas West Brom have got Robson-Kanu and Charlie Austin and one of them might move on.
“I have to say that West Brom would be a good fit for him.”
Phillips makes a good point.
Villa have two strikers in their squad who were signed for Premier League football and a lot of money was spent on them.
However, the Baggies need to strengthen their striker options because the players Bilic currently has in that area are not really suited to life in the top-flight.
Watkins could see himself as getting a lot more game-time at The Hawthorns by becoming Bilic’s first-choice striker but he has more competition at Villa Park.
In other West Brom news, Albion are in talks to sign this player on a loan-to-buy basis.
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