Bayern Munich are ‘interested in signing Ollie Watkins in the summer’ as Thomas Tuchel’s side look to bring in a new forward, and are ‘prepared to pay £60m’ to get the in-form Aston Villa star
Bayern Munich are reportedly interesting in signing Ollie Watkins in the summer.
The forward has shone for Aston Villa since the arrival of Unai Emery and is one of the form players in the Premier League, helping his side to the verge of European qualification.
He has netted 11 times in his last 15 games for his side, who, after a poor start to the season under Steven Gerrard, are sixth in the Premier League with five games to play.
Bayern technical director Marco Neppe was reportedly at Villa Park on Tuesday to watch Watkins’ side beat Fulham 1-0, and it has been suggested that he was there to watch the 27-year-old.
According to The Sun, he would command a fee in the region of £60million, with Bayern considering a bid as they look to sign a new front man to lead their attack.
Thomas Tuchel’s side have struggled for consistency throughout the whole season and have struggled to replace Robert Lewandowski, who left for Barcelona last summer.
They are second to Borussia Dortmund in the Bundesliga table, though have a game in hand, and were knocked out of the Champions League by a relentless Manchester City earlier this month.
Watkins joined Villa for £32million from Brentford in 2020 and had a slow start to life at Villa Park, but has found form of late.
The 27-year-old is a shoo-in for the next England squad, and has two years remaining on his deal at the club, which would contribute to the hefty fee.
It’s also believed he will enter talks over a new contract when the season is out.
It’s suggested that Neppe was also casting an eye over Joao Palinha’s display with Tuchel keen to add a defensive midfielder to his ranks.
The Portugal star has shone for Fulham since joining last summer and could be set for a move to one of Europe’s top clubs this year.
He cost the Cottagers £17.2m from Sporting, and Fulham would recoup a large fee if they were to move him on.
He’s been part of a successful first year back in the Premier League for Marco Silva’s side, making 34 appearances in all competitions as his side sit in 10th in the league table.
