Aston Villa are plotting a £50million double swoop for Said Benrahma and Ollie Watkins after Brentford suffered promotion heartache, Football Insider can reveal.
The Midlands giants are keen to take advantage of the London club’s play-off final failure against Fulham last night.
It leaves Brentford vulnerable to losing their prize assets, most especially star striker Watkins and playmaker Benrahma.
A Villa source has told Football Insider that manager Dean Smith is keen to be reunited with his former Brentford star pupils Watkins and Benrahma.
He took the pair to Griffin Park in 2017 and 2018 from Exeter City and Nice respectively.
The pair’s values have rocketed on the back of their excellent form in Brentford’s promotion-chasing campaign.
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Significantly, Watkins can leave for £18m as a buyout clause has been activated following Tuesday’s defeat by Fulham.
The clause kicked in if Brentford missed out on promotion to the Premier League.
Benrahma will be more expensive and, amid strong interest from the likes of West Ham and Crystal Palace, a bidding war in excess of £25m is expected.
It could cost nearly £50m for the pair and Villa will hope a double swoop can drive the price down.
Benrahma has been one of the Championship’s standout players this season, with his 43 appearances in the competition yielding 17 goals and nine assists.
The Algeria international is capable of playing behind the main striker or in a wide attacking role.
Watkins scored 25 goals in 46 Championship games for Brentford this season as well as a further goal in the play-offs.
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By: Wayne Veysey
Title: Aston Villa work on £50m double swoop after huge development
Sourced From: www.footballinsider247.com/exclusive-aston-villa-plot-50m-double-swoop-after-big-development/
Published Date: Wed, 05 Aug 2020 16:30:41 +0000
