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Aston Villa
Brentford set asking price for Aston Villa target with negotiations ongoing
Brentford are demanding £28 million for Aston Villa and Crystal Palace target Ollie Watkins with talks ongoing between the Birmingham club and the Bees, according to a report from The Telegraph.
The Bees striker fired in 26 goals last term and helped Thomas Frank’s side make it to the play-off final.
They suffered defeat to west London rivals Fulham at Wembley and face another campaign in the Championship but it appears they may be without Watkins.
A string of top flight sides, including Villa and Palace, have been linked with a move for the goalscorer.
Villa boss Dean Smith is understood to be keen on a reunion with the 24-year-old, having signed him for Brentford, but it appears they may have to pay £28 million to prize him away from the Championship club.
The Telegraph claims that the Bees are asking for a fee in that region for the striker and that negotiations are ongoing with Villa.
While losing Watkins will clearly be a big blow for the west London club, Frank appears to have already landed his replacement with Ivan Toney joining from Peterborough United for an initial £5 million fee.
Toney has bagged 49 goals and 15 assists over the past two seasons and looks like he’ll be an exciting addition to the Bees frontline.
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The Verdict
It looked as if the arrival of Toney may grease the wheels for a potential move to Villa but it appears Brentford are still set to play hardball.
Watkins has proven himself a prolific Championship goalscorer and looks ready to make the step up to the top flight but £28 million is a lot to pay.
You’d imagine we may see it negotiated down to around £25 million with add-ons.
