Aston Villa will surely sign Ollie Watkins with Brentford agreeing £10m Ivan Toney deal – TBR View

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Aston Villa can now step up their pursuit of Brentford striker, Ollie Watkins, with the Bees reportedly agreeing to a £10m deal to sign his potential replacement, Ivan Toney. 

Sky Sports confirmed yesterday that a £10m deal had been agreed between the Bees and Peterborough for Toney.

Surely, then, this means that Dean Smith and Villa can now ramp up their pursuit of the 25-goal star, given Brentford’s apparent acceptance that will lose their star striker.

Of course, there is the small element of agreeing a transfer fee with Brentford. Sky Sports also reported yesterday that Villa were becoming frustrated with their pursuit of Watkins, as the Bees held out for around £25m.

But while it sounds a mammoth figure, it could prove money well spent and there will never be a better time for Villa to land their man.

Market rate suggests that is a fair price, Villa should just pay it

Last summer, Villa splashed out over £20m on unknown quantity, Wesley. Ultimately, he has proven to be something of a flop, struggling to get going in the English game and enduring a frustrating debut campaign.

In Watkins, Villa would be getting someone who has all the tools and who they’ll have kept a close eye on for months, if not years.

Dean Smith knows him well, too. That should help them get any deal over the line. £25m is a lot of money, of course it is. But last summer, Sheffield United paid just shy of £20m for Oli McBurnie, while Neal Maupay went to Brighton for a similar fee.

If Villa want Watkins that bad, they’ll need to just bite the bullet and pay it. The longer they delay, the more opening there is for rival clubs to make their move.