Liverpool admire both Ollie Watkins and Pedro Neto but, as Neil Jones says, the latter is not an option after he suffered a serious knee injury.
Roberto Firmino had a very indifferent 2020/21 season but he did end the campaign in good form, getting five goals and assists in the final five games.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – APRIL 10: Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa scores their team’s first goal during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Aston Villa at Anfield on April 10, 2021 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Martin Rickett – Pool/Getty Images)
All in all, however, he managed just nine goals and seven assists in all competitions and is the most at risk of being benched by Diogo Jota or whoever arrives this summer.
Neil Jones says Liverpool like Watkins and Neto
The Goal journalist writes: “Liverpool like Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa and Pedro Neto of Wolves although there will be no deal for the latter this summer, on account of the serious knee injury the 22-year-old suffered back in April.”
Jones goes on to say that there is nothing in suggestions that the Reds want to sign Raphinha from Leeds United which is not a surprise given his huge asking price.
LEEDS, ENGLAND – MAY 23: Raphinha of Leeds in action during the Premier League match between Leeds United and West Bromwich Albion at Elland Road on May 23, 2021 in Leeds, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
Watkins would be a great signing and after scoring 16 goals in his debut season with Aston Villa, he has attracted interest from the likes of Liverpool.
In April, Alex McLeish told Football Insider: “I could see Ollie going anywhere in the world and being a magnificent footballer within the team.
“He has got energy to burn, he’s quick, he’s elusive to defenders. He came into Villa no problem, it clicked right away.
“I believe that Ollie Watkins could go anywhere.”
Much like Jota, the Villans frontman could be a good shout to lead the line at Anfield.
Signing Watkins seems unlikely this summer
Transfermarkt values the Englishman at €38.3million [£33m] but I’m inclined to think that Aston Villa will demand more for the 25-year-old.
The former Brentford forward has another four years on his contract at Villa Park and I would be shocked if Dean Smith allowed him to leave for anything below €58.1m [£50m].
Aston Villa’s English striker Ollie Watkins celebrates scoring his team’s third goal during the English Premier League football match between Arsenal and Aston Villa at the Emirates Stadium in London on November 8, 2020. (Photo by Alastair Grant / POOL / AFP)
Signing Donyell Malen, who Liverpool intend to open talks for makes, a lot more sense even if he did bottle a massive chance to score for the Netherlands against the Czech Republic before his country was eliminated from the EUROs.
He scored 27 goals and assisted 10 in all competitions for PSV this season.
