Sheffield United are linked with a £15m move for Brentford forward Ollie Watkins by The Sun.
Despite having five options already at Bramall Lane, manager Chris Wilder wants to add another striker to his squad.
Callum Robinson, Lys Mousset and Oli McBurnie all arrived as club record signings in the role this summer. They joined David McGoldrick and Billy Sharp – who were already with the Blades.
Watkins has interested United for several years. Previously thought of as a winger, the 23-year-old has excelled in a central position this season.
The former Exeter City man has scored seven goals in 10 Championship matches already in 2019/20. It is this form that really appeals to Wilder.
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Not only that but the club are prepared to give him the funds to sign Watkins in January. Crystal Palace have previously shown interest but weren’t ready to match the Bees’ asking price.
Where Ollie Watkins would fit in at Sheffield United
(Photo by Alex Dodd – CameraSport via Getty Images)
It’s likely that Wilder would view Watkins operating in a similar way for the Blades as Robinson. Signed from Preston North End this summer, he too was also thought of as a wide player.
Yet since the start of this campaign – United’s first in the Premier League in 12 years – Robinson has been playing as a second striker.
Even at Preston this ability was clear, with the 24-year-old often drifting in from the flank and into the box. It’s why Robinson scored an impressive 18 goals in 27 appearances in his last term at Deepdale.
In the case of Watkins it’s even easier to see how he would fit in as Brentford have already converted him into a striker.
This would make him ideal in Wilder’s 3-5-2 formation, playing off a more traditional number nine such as McBurnie or Sharp.
The report also highlights that, if United were relegated, Watkins is viewed as the perfect player to help lead them back to the top flight.
