Ollie Watkins joins Aston Villa

Brentford struck a hard bargain. And no Villa fan can (honestly) begrudge them protecting and getting top dollar for their top scorer 24-year-old Ollie Watkins. The reported price is around £28 million. The Athletic reports the fee could rise to £33m with some add-ons. Tottenham had been rumored to be asking about the striker as well, though that could have very easily been Brentford trying to get Villa to pay up.

In the end, Dean Smith gets his man — and likely (though not for certain) the center piece of this pandemic influenced transfer window.

Head Coach Dean Smith told the club’s website, “Ollie has developed into one of the most sought-after strikers in the country and we are looking forward to seeing him show his great qualities in an Aston Villa shirt. He is a hugely determined character who has both the ability and personality to succeed at the highest level.”

Watkins added: “I am so excited to join Aston Villa and to reunite with Dean Smith as my Head Coach. I cannot wait to wear the famous claret and blue in the Premier League. I want to do something special here and score some goals.”

Goals. Yes. Goals are the goal.

Some on the always healthy Villa Twitter are freaking out of the price tag. Don’t. Yes — it is alot of money for an attacker who hasn’t played in the Premier League. But Villa are up against it trying to recruit the top class of strikers. Bringing in the Championship’s top goal scorer makes sense because there is a team and a coaching staff who know exactly how hard making the jump up is... because the club just went through it. Sure it is a risk. Every transfer is a risk. But Watkins appears to have what it takes to succeed, knows the head coach, and will get the chance to make the starting spot his own (barring another striker coming in).