23 Aug 2026 16:15:36
This from a source that has been reliable, in the past, no idea if this is true, the deal for Watkins to the Middle East has hit a snag, and we have come in with an offer. Could live with that. ?
23 Aug 2026 16:38:55
I would love to believe this, but surely we cannot compete with Al Hilal on wages or transfer involved.
23 Aug 2026 18:06:51
If true - I would take Watkins all day long.. Would fit in well with players like Ndiaye, Dibling etc behind him.
23 Aug 2026 19:43:02
Would like Watkins, but haven't Saudi bid £45m? He's 31 in a couple of months - this is exactly the sort of signing that started off a decade of misery when Moshiri and Usmanov rocked up.
23 Aug 2026 20:25:24
Would I have him as a player.. Absolutely.
Given Villa have already rejected deals reaching £45m, it's a lot of money to spend, but would be a huge uplift to the attack.
We are supposedly looking at Amine Gouiri from Marseille as a striker, but I don't know much about him.
23 Aug 2026 21:07:26
I'd be really surprised if there was any substance to this. No doubt he'd be an upgrade, but it goes against what appears to be our transfer strategy now.
23 Aug 2026 21:56:22
You don't pay 45m for a 31 year old.
23 Aug 2026 22:51:51
No, EFC can't pay that, but plenty of clubs with deeper pockets have been paying massive fees for strikers in early 30s. Strikers have changed from big lumps and little speed demons to a rare breed that seems to not peek until an age when once many players were slowing down and retiring. He's probably still got 5 to 8 years at the top. Not sure why he'd ever consider coming here.
23 Aug 2026 23:01:10
You still don't pay 45m for a 31 year old. Has for having another 5 to 8 years, I find that highly unlikely.
23 Aug 2026 23:13:36
Won't happen.
We will get linked to every striker on the move.