Newly promoted Premier League side Sheffield United are lining up a £15million bid for Brentford striker Ollie Watkins in the January transfer window, a report from The Sun has claimed.

Having been moved into a centre forward role by Brentford following the departure of Neal Maupay in the summer, Watkins has scored seven goals in 11 league appearances for the Bees so far this season, a return which is bettered only by Fulham's Aleksandar Mitrovic.

According to the latest reports, Sheffield United have been monitoring Watkins for several years, and now ready to spend big on the striker after his success in his new central role for Thomas Frank's side.

The Blades only added two Championship strikers to their side in the summer transfer window, when they signed Oli McBurnie and Callum Robinson from Swansea and Preston respectively, with McBurnie costing them a club record £17million.

So far this season, Chris Wilder's side have won two and drawn three of their opening eight league games of the season, leaving them 12th in the current Premier League standings.

Watkins joined Brentford from Exeter City in the summer of 2016, and has gone onto make 105 appearances in all competitions for the club, scoring a total of 30 goals.

There are currently four-years remaining on Watkins' contract at Griffin Park, after he signed a long-term contract with Brentford in August, following a summer transfer window that saw him heavily linked with Sheffield United's top-flight rivals Crystal Palace.

The Verdict

I think this could be a good signing for Sheffield United.

Watkins has been very impressive for Brentford since moving into a central role for the Bees this season, suggesting he has the adaptability required to make the step up to the top flight.

As a result, Watkins' goals could be a big boost for the Blades in the second half of this season, as they look to re-establish themselves in the Premier League after so long away.

With Watkins having only just signed a new contract at Griffin Park, this may not be the easiest of deals for Sheffield United to pull off however, with Brentford unlikely to want to lose one of their key men without a fight.

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