As a Darwin Nunez replacement, Liverpool is to make an offer for Aston Villa forward Ollie Watkins, according to the Sun.
Villa advanced to the last four of the UEFA Europa Conference League and the Champions League thanks to Watkins’ 27 goals for the team in 2023–2024. After a great season, Liverpool is eager to bolster their squad under new manager Slot.
Nunez had another mixed year, so the Dutchman would want to make some improvements up front. Many think his erratic performance in front of goal is too much of a flaw in his game for a squad trying to compete with the best, even though his raw skill shows promise. Watkins has reportedly won Slot’s admiration and has been selected to take the Uruguayan’s place in the team.
Watkins Might Be Challenging Villa To Sign
In October, the striker committed to a new, long-term deal.
Given that Neil Moxley has said in the past that Watkins might cost £75 million or more, Villa might be reluctant to let him go. Unai Emery is unlikely to sell the 28-year-old, as seen by the player’s new deal he inked with the Villans in October, which runs until 2028.
Liverpool might not be able to afford the outrageous fee Birmingham would demand for the England international, even if they were willing to approve a deal. After Jack Grealish left for Manchester City, Watkins emerged as Villa’s talisman in the following years. With his ability to lure wide forwards into the game and his threat from behind, he is an essential component of Emery’s aggressive playmaking strategies at Villa Park.
Negotiations may be further hampered by Watkins’s scheduled competition in the European Championships this summer, even though his worth to his present squad will already make a move difficult. Watkins expressed happiness with his new deal and expects to lead Villa to the Champions League the next season. In the autumn of last year, he stated:
“This seems like the best place for me to play football. Here, I still have a lot to accomplish.”
Even with the attraction of the Anfield spotlight, Watkins—whom BBC expert Danny Murphy calls “incredible”—seems content to remain the star of a developing team.
| Watkins vs Nunez 2023/24 Statistical Comparison (Premier League) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Player | Watkins | Nunez |
| Appearances | 37 | 36 |
| Goals | 19 | 11 |
| Assists | 13 | 8 |
| Shots | 107 | 107 |
| Key Passes | 45 | 33 |
Arne Slot Looking To Rebuild
The new Liverpool boss is considering replacing Nunez
As previously said, Slot wants to move on from Darwin Nunez, Liverpool’s diamond in the rough, according to this Sun article.
The versatile forward made a £64 million transfer from Benfica in 2022 and has since scored 33 goals in 96 games. While some applaud his deft movement and destructive talent, others bemoan his lack of composure and finishing touch in the last third. Slot might see this as an opportunity to break up with Nunez because of his ties to Barcelona.
The Reds’ forward line may witness major changes this summer as Slot looks to develop his own vision for the team, given worries surrounding Mohamed Salah’s future.
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