Crystal Palace will presumably be kicking themselves nowadays as Ollie Watkins continues to take the Premier League by storm.
What’s the story?
Well – according to the Guardian – Crystal Palace almost signed Watkins from Brentford back in 2019 for a sum of just £10m.
The 27-year-old eventually joined Aston Villa for £28m in September 2020 after increasing his price tag with 26 goals in the 2019/20 campaign.
Watkins has since become one of the most consistent strikers in the Premier League, which surely leaves a bitter taste for Crystal Palace.
The Aston Villa No.11 scored his 13th and 14th Premier League goals of the season in a 3-0 win over Newcastle on Saturday, to continue what has been a rich vein of form.
Watkins has now netted 11 goals in his last 12 Premier League appearances for the Villans, and it is safe to say that there are few better strikers in the Premier League right now.
The man who almost joined Crystal Palace has netted double figures for Premier League goals in each of the three seasons since he left Brentford for Aston Villa, something only Harry Kane and Mohamed Salah have managed in the same timeframe.
As things stand, Watkins boasts a total of 39 Premier League goals, which is a fantastic effort for someone who hasn’t even had three full campaigns in England’s top-flight yet.
Crystal Palace must be gutted about Ollie Watkins
Imagine a frontline of Wilfried Zaha, Watkins, Eberechi Eze and Michael Olise – it is enough to make your mouth water.
That is exactly what the Eagles could have had if they managed to get that £10m deal over the line in 2019.
Now, Watkins is worth roughly five times that sum – the ship has well and truly sailed for Crystal Palace.
Hopefully, the south Londoners get themselves a Watkins of their own this summer, as an upgrade can certainly be found for Jean-Philippe Mateta and Jordan Ayew.
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