Aston Villa will reportedly have to fend off interest from Liverpool in Ollie Watkins this summer, while we’ve been paired with an interest in Jesse Lingard.
The focus for now will be on the remaining eight games of the Premier League season as we hope to secure a top-half finish having come dangerously close to relegation just last year.
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Given the impressive displays of some of our key players, it’s likely that there will be interest from elsewhere while our progress also hopefully gives us the ability to bring in more top signings to help us continue to kick on.
Liverpool-Watkins interest
As reported by FourFourTwo, Liverpool are said to be interested in Watkins, and could potentially launch a swoop for him this summer.
The 25-year-old has had a fine debut campaign with Villa, scoring 14 goals and providing three assists in 33 appearances. He also scored on his England debut last month, and so it has certainly been an impressive year from the striker.
With that in mind and what Villa and Dean Smith are trying to build, it seems highly unlikely that we’ll even entertain offers for Watkins this summer, and if Liverpool’s interest is genuine, we’ll no doubt fight hard to keep him at the club for the foreseeable future.
Lingard-Villa link
Meanwhile, Football Insider report that Villa are keen on Lingard after his excellent campaign this season with West Ham Utd.
The 28-year-old saw his career stall at Manchester United, but the switch to east London has done wonders for him thus far, and there could be a battle for his signature when his loan spell comes to an end.
As per the report above, Villa are said to be monitoring Lingard’s situation, but again, given how impressive he has been with the Hammers, if they are eager to make his move a permanent one, then they will surely have to be considered favourites to land him given he’s reignited his career under David Moyes.
Samatta set for Villa exit
In terms of an outgoing that could raise funds for Villa this summer, BirminghamLive, via Fotomac, report that the club could receive a €6m boost as Fenerbahce are expected to exercise their clause to sign Mbwana Samatta on a permanent basis.
The Tanzanian international has scored six goals in 28 games so far this season, and it’s suggested that the Turkish giants could use him as part of an offer to land a preferred target.
Time will tell if the pieces fall into place for that to happen, but with Watkins and Wesley at Smith’s disposal already and the possibility of reinforcements arriving in that department in the summer, Samatta is seemingly surplus to requirements and so an exit could be ideal for all concerned.
