Chelsea transfer news: Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins has emerged as a new name on Mauricio Pochettino's summer short list
Mauricio Pochettino looks to have made a very important decision regarding Chelsea's summer search for a striker. Regarding potential attacking acquisitions, the Blues had been linked with Dusan Vlahovic, Lautaro Martinez, Paulo Dybala and Victor Osimhen, but a late push in the window for one of those options appears highly unlikely.
The 21-year-old was left off the USA pre-season tour to continue his recovery from a serious knee injury at Cobham, but he could still feature prominently in the 2023/24 season. Although the Blues aren't actively in search of a striker, a new name has emerged on their wish list.
According to journalist Simon Phillips, via his Substack, Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins has become a fresh striker target for Chelsea. It is however noted that pulling off the deal would be a challenge, but there is definitely interest from the capital.
Arsenal have also been linked with a move for the former Brentford man in recent windows but are now well-stocked in the natural No.9 position. Unai Emery helped guide Villa back to European football on the final day of the season and their summer business thus far indicates a team ready to crash the 'big six'.
Youri Tielemans had already made the switch from Leicester as a free agent prior to the window officially opening while Tottenham target Pau Torres has also signed from Villareal in a deal worth an initial £33million and now a transfer for Bayer Leverkusen for Moussa Diaby is on the verge of completion which will see Villa pay €60m (£51.9m).
Being focused on incomings and spending significantly on those signings could open the door for Chelsea to make their interest formal with Villa potentially needing a hefty sale to balance their books.
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