Chelsea are reportedly preparing a bold move to sign Aston Villa’s star striker, Ollie Watkins, this summer.
Ollie Watkins on Chelsea’s Radar: £60m Bid Prepared
The Blues, eager to bolster their attacking options, are considering a player-plus-cash deal involving midfielder Conor Gallagher to tempt Villa into parting with their prolific forward.
Watkins, 28, enjoyed a stellar 2023–24 season, netting 27 goals and providing 13 assists across all competitions.
His performances were instrumental in Aston Villa securing a fourth-place finish in the Premier League and qualifying for the UEFA Champions League for the first time since 1983.
His exploits also earned him the Premier League Playmaker of the Season award and a place in England’s Euro 2024 squad, where he scored a memorable last-minute winner against the Netherlands in the semi-finals.
Chelsea’s interest in Watkins comes as they seek to address their striking options, with Nicolas Jackson’s inconsistent form prompting the search for a reliable goal scorer.
The proposed deal would see Gallagher, who is entering the final year of his contract, move to Villa Park, providing Chelsea with financial flexibility under the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability rules.
However, Aston Villa remain resolute in their desire to retain Watkins. The club has reportedly rejected previous bids, including a £60 million offer from Arsenal, deeming them untimely and insufficient.
Villa are also considering offering Watkins a lucrative new contract to fend off interest and secure his long-term future at the club.
With Watkins under contract until 2028 and Villa’s firm stance on retaining their talisman, Chelsea face a challenging task in securing the striker’s services.
The coming weeks will reveal whether the Blues can persuade Villa to reconsider their position or if they will need to explore alternative options to strengthen their attack
