'One of the best' - Aston Villa given £50m warning amid West Ham links

Former Aston Villa boss Alex McLeish has assessed the rumoured £50 million links regarding Ollie Watkins and West Ham United.

Watkins, 26, is reportedly a 'key target' for David Moyes this summer with figures in the region of £40-50 million being quoted for the striker, who has scored two goals in his last three games for Steven Gerrard's side.

Watkins arrived at Villa Park in 2020 in a deal worth up to £33 million from Brentford and has since scored 24 Premier League goals whilst also becoming an England international.

Speaking to Football Insider, former Villa boss Alex McLeish spoke about Watkins and the rumoured price tag for the striker, where he agreed with the figure. He said: “I think it would be normal evolution. That for me is his price.

“I think there’s more to come from him if he can keep growing in confidence. Not that he lacks confidence but if he can keep growing his knowledge of the game and study the best strikers.

“He’s already one of one of the best strikers in the Premier League. He’s got fantastic pace, he reads the game well, he nearly embarrassed Liverpool the other night with the charge down on the goalkeeper. I like Watkins.”