Watkins over £30 million!!

[ClaretTony]

I know he's had a hell of a season for Brentford and I know Villa manager Dean Smith will know him well having signed him from Exeter, but what about the fee. Villa are paying £28 million which could rise to £33 million.

I wonder what Garlick offered

[Zlatan]

Nothing as we don’t need him

[Aclaret]

I guess this is what we are up against. Crazy fees for average footballers.

[Conroysleftfoot]

I guess this is what we are up against. Crazy fees for average footballers.

Absolutely. You think things can't get anymore ridiculous regarding transfer fees and then Villa do this. What chance have we got?

[BOYSIE31]

Joke of a fee - file under Che Adams

[tiger76]

Watkins is a decent Championship player, but he not worth over £30m that's crazy money, I'll have a punt that he won't break double figures in the PL this season.

[KRBFC]

Crazy fee but worth every penny if he keeps Villa up for one season alone, I thought Wilson at £20M was better business and I think Villa did too.

A couple of deals aside the market is incredibly low and nobody seems to have money to spend, prime time for PL teams to swoop up talent from COVID stricken clubs before the market rebounds.

[ewanrob]

I know he's had a hell of a season for Brentford and I know Villa manager Dean Smith will know him well having signed him from Exeter, but what about the fee. Villa are paying £28 million which could rise to £33 million.

I wonder what Garlick offered

Its scary money, and we clearly cannot compete at this level on transfers and wages. It must be a hell of a headache to MG, as to the next step forward....stick or twist.

If its not broken, its certainly straining under the pressure.

[Firthy]

This just makes me wonder about the rumours about Tarks, Mcneil and Pope going for some the sums being mentioned. They are all worth more than Watkins so there is no way they'll be sold on the cheap.

[Hibsclaret]

This deal values McNeil at 50m, Tarks at 50m and Pope at 50m....at the very least. Players unproven at the top level going for 33m is beyond a joke.

[fatboy47]

We have every important player from a side that finished in the top half of the Prem, still on our books.
Bar Hendrik who has clearly been upgraded upon.

An odd midfielder could maybe freshen stuff up, but I really don't get all the hand wringing, wailing and gnashing of teeth.

[Herts Clarets]

I guess this is what we are up against. Crazy fees for average footballers.

It is if you are all fishing in the same pond, those with the most attractive bait will always land the prize. Imagine if there were other ponds where our bait could be cast, where the chances of our bait being the most attractive on offer increase significantly.

[Bfc]

I wonder what Smith was offering us for Wood, when Villa enquired about him recently?.

[Herts Clarets]

We have every important player from a side that finished in the top half of the Prem, still on our books.
Bar Hendrik who has clearly been upgraded upon.

An odd midfielder could maybe freshen stuff up, but I really don't get all the hand wringing, wailing and gnashing of teeth.

Maybe you have forgotten the scenario just a few short weeks ago, where we could only manage to field a substitutes bench by the inclusion of 2 goalkeepers and a number of untried youngsters. That causes me concern.

[Rowls]

I think Watkins is at a similar level that Andre Gray was when we bought him for £6 million (rising to £9 million) in 2015.

Villa are basically paying an inflation rate IRO 500% over those five years.

I think they've overpaid here but only time will tell.

[Belial]

Some of these figures show that whilst we all can get frustrated about not making many signings, some of the ones we have made have been very frugal

[ashtonlongsider]

Smacks of desperation to me. I hope our board are looking at deals like this and using as a benchmark if/when considering selling any of our tried and tested PL players.

[Tall Paul]

Maybe you have forgotten the scenario just a few short weeks ago, where we could only manage to field a substitutes bench by the inclusion of 2 goalkeepers and a number of untried youngsters. That causes me concern.

When we lost just two out of nine games you mean?

[Stan Tastic]

Twenty-odd goals in the second tier usually translates to around ten in the Premier League, which makes the fee even more ridiculous.

[FCBurnley]

Is he better than Brownhill ?

[scamander]

Many years ago I remember hearing someone in a press box discussing transfer fees.

He made the point that any player is worth whatever someone will pay for. Though it's tempting to compare players the transfer fee is a response to a set of variables which rarely carry across to another player. Most of the variables aren't publicly known.

It's also worthing considering that a price is merely what one team will pay. It's just a number relative to one team. Imagine Arsenal or Spurs offered 15 million and say that Watkins preferred that move and forced it through.

Does that mean he's now 15 million 'less' of a player if he went to either of these teams rather than Villa?

Villa are obviously happy to buy and have the funds to do so. 30 million is simply their acceptance of his worth to them.

[bfcmik]

It is if you are all fishing in the same pond, those with the most attractive bait will always land the prize. Imagine if there were other ponds where our bait could be cast, where the chances of our bait being the most attractive on offer increase significantly.

Unfortunately, electronic scouting systems and a horde of data analysts at every club mean there are no ponds where our bait would be the most attractive. We will always be playing in the secondary market at best and, often, the tertiary market

[BenWickes]

Wouldn't be at all surprised if he's loaned to a Championship club in January. Personally think he'll struggle at PL level.

[nyclaret]

This just makes me wonder about the rumours about Tarks, Mcneil and Pope going for some the sums being mentioned. They are all worth more than Watkins so there is no way they'll be sold on the cheap.

Spot on.

[JohnMac]

I actually heard a pundit saying 'If he can get 15, 20, 25 goals this season'...

What planet are these lot on?

[Spijed]

Many years ago I remember hearing someone in a press box discussing transfer fees.

He made the point that any player is worth whatever someone will pay for. Though it's tempting to compare players the transfer fee is a response to a set of variables which rarely carry across to another player. Most of the variables aren't publicly known.

It's also worthing considering that a price is merely what one team will pay. It's just a number relative to one team. Imagine Arsenal or Spurs offered 15 million and say that Watkins preferred that move and forced it through.

Does that mean he's now 15 million 'less' of a player if he went to either of these teams rather than Villa?

Villa are obviously happy to buy and have the funds to do so. 30 million is simply their acceptance of his worth to them.

But the affects the way inflation works in the football market for players. That's why many mediocre players are being sold for far higher prices.

[ClaretTony]

Bar Hendrik who has clearly been upgraded upon.

Apart from the fact that we've still not replaced him. And if you mean Brownhill, you are making some big assumptions on a player that came in and had a few very good games for us before fading away in the last few.

[FactualFrank]

I actually heard a pundit saying 'If he can get 15, 20, 25 goals this season'...

What planet are these lot on?

What did Wood get last season, 14?

Both him and Vydra are better forwards imo.
So for Watkins to get 15+ goals would be extremely surprising. 20-25 means the pundit thinks he's as good as the likes of Kane, Salah, Aubameyang and Vardy. Basically, either a Villa fan, knows naff all about football, or both.

[Herts Clarets]

When we lost just two out of nine games you mean?

Yes. The ones where we were an injury or a red card away from playing an untried youth player or a fullback at centre half and made the lowest number of subsitutions of any other Premier League club simply because we had no one we could bring on to influence or change a game. No qualms with out strongest 11 and a couple of substitute options. That aside, the cupboard is bare. As it stands, assuming we dont lose our biggest asset in Tarks, we are already facing starting the season with Kevin Long as one of the 2 first choice centre backs with the back up being probably Jimmy Dunne or moving a full back out of position. If Tarks forces through a move or we receive an offer we cannot refuse, it will be Long and Dunne up against Vardy and co with no other centre back available. Comfortable with that thought?

[Tall Paul]

Yes. The ones where we were an injury or a red card away from playing an untried youth player or a fullback at centre half and made the lowest number of subsitutions of any other Premier League club simply because we had no one we could bring on to influence or change a game. No qualms with out strongest 11 and a couple of substitute options. That aside, the cupboard is bare. As it stands, assuming we dont lose our biggest asset in Tarks, we are already facing starting the season with Kevin Long as one of the 2 first choice centre backs with the back up being probably Jimmy Dunne or moving a full back out of position. If Tarks forces through a move or we receive an offer we cannot refuse, it will be Long and Dunne up against Vardy and co with no other centre back available. Comfortable with that thought?

Not especially, but it probably won't happen so there's not much point worrying about it.

[ClaretTony]

I actually heard a pundit saying 'If he can get 15, 20, 25 goals this season'...

What planet are these lot on?

He's only had one season at Championship level where he's scored more than 10.

[ClaretTony]

Yes. The ones where we were an injury or a red card away from playing an untried youth player or a fullback at centre half and made the lowest number of subsitutions of any other Premier League club simply because we had no one we could bring on to influence or change a game. No qualms with out strongest 11 and a couple of substitute options. That aside, the cupboard is bare. As it stands, assuming we dont lose our biggest asset in Tarks, we are already facing starting the season with Kevin Long as one of the 2 first choice centre backs with the back up being probably Jimmy Dunne or moving a full back out of position. If Tarks forces through a move or we receive an offer we cannot refuse, it will be Long and Dunne up against Vardy and co with no other centre back available. Comfortable with that thought?

A lot of ifs and buts there. If we had picked up a red card. Yes we could, but that's rare at Burnley. Lowest number of subs because we had no one we could bring on to influence or change a game. Not so, we never make a lot of substitutions. And I think you must be the only person thinking we will start the season with Long & Dunne.

[Herts Clarets]

A lot of ifs and buts there. If we had picked up a red card. Yes we could, but that's rare at Burnley. Lowest number of subs because we had no one we could bring on to influence or change a game. Not so, we never make a lot of substitutions. And I think you must be the only person thinking we will start the season with Long & Dunne.

We are pretty much guaranteed Long will start v Leicester. If we lose Tarks, then our options at centre half are a player playing out of position or an untried youngster alongside Long. I dont think it will come to that but we are the loss of one player away from that scenario. The caveat in all this is that we don't bring anyone in, which given the noises coming from Dyche in the last 2 days is looking unlikely.

[aggi]

Another aspect here is that Villa are desperate for a striker and clubs know that.

What it does show is how well Brentford are doing with their model. They've managed, year on year, to make astute signings that they've turned big profits on. No easy thing.

[Jakubclaret]

Another aspect here is that Villa are desperate for a striker and clubs know that.

What it does show is how well Brentford are doing with their model. They've managed, year on year, to make astute signings that they've turned big profits on. No easy thing.

That model will hit the skids eventually it's fortune that they've had a few who have done well, they will start to blank & it'll be somebody's else's turn to churn a string out & so on, it won't go on forever if it did the model would be replicated & the youth scouts & setups all aspects of internal recruitment would be poached.

[summitclaret]

Not especially, but it probably won't happen so there's not much point worrying about it.

You are that far laid back you must be able to do a backwards limbo. There is every reason to be concerned. If we sell Tarky for the sort of money West Ham are trying to rob us, there could be a Jimmy Mac scenario with some fans.

[claretonthecoast1882]

Your that far laid back you must be able to do a backwards limbo. There is every reason to be concerned. If we sell Tarky for the sort of money West Ham are trying to rob us, there could be a Jimmy Mac scenario with some fans.

Agreed, if we sell tarky for 30m I reckon there will be no fans at the first home game

[ClaretTony]

Agreed, if we sell tarky for 30m I reckon there will be no fans at the first home game

I'll agree with that

[kentonclaret]

Well done again to Brentford. Ollie Watkins was the standout player for Exeter City and was a former EFL young player of the year. Hardly "under the radar" and snapped up for under £2 million and once again they have cashed in. Once Tarks departs for a big fee they will be cashing in again.

[Tall Paul]

You are that far laid back you must be able to do a backwards limbo. There is every reason to be concerned. If we sell Tarky for the sort of money West Ham are trying to rob us, there could be a Jimmy Mac scenario with some fans.

We won't though.

[Dinks]

If thats the price of an unproven striker in the Premier league,Wood must be worth at least 75 million!

[Danieljwaterhouse]

Many years ago I remember hearing someone in a press box discussing transfer fees.

He made the point that any player is worth whatever someone will pay for. Though it's tempting to compare players the transfer fee is a response to a set of variables which rarely carry across to another player. Most of the variables aren't publicly known.

It's also worthing considering that a price is merely what one team will pay. It's just a number relative to one team. Imagine Arsenal or Spurs offered 15 million and say that Watkins preferred that move and forced it through.

Does that mean he's now 15 million 'less' of a player if he went to either of these teams rather than Villa?

Villa are obviously happy to buy and have the funds to do so. 30 million is simply their acceptance of his worth to them.

They’ve paid a premium to remove the usual clause they insert into players contracts. They’ll owe no % fee to Brentford if he goes for big money to the top 6

[ClaretTony]

You are that far laid back you must be able to do a backwards limbo. There is every reason to be concerned. If we sell Tarky for the sort of money West Ham are trying to rob us, there could be a Jimmy Mac scenario with some fans.

Jimmy Mac scenario

[Wembley09]

Nice to see Villa learnt from their mistakes last season, spending £150 million and just staying up.

[tiger76]

Nice to see Villa learnt from their mistakes last season, spending £150 million and just staying up.

Spending money is all well and good, but unless Dean Smith can mould them into an effective team they'll still struggle, just as they did last season.

[Tribesmen]

Gamble but Villa have deep pockets

[claret2018]

I’d much rather fill the bench with kids than spend this sort of money on players like that

[Row Z]

I’d much rather fill the bench with kids than spend this sort of money on players like that

Fully agree. The pressure on both Watkins and Smith will be immense and is no guarantee of results. Newcastle found that with Joelinton and his two goals.

Does show what we are up against though when sides can pay out such fees and then continue to make other signings - Newcastle going out and spending a further £40m this season!

[EarbyClaret]

On a positive note maybe the noise around Villa being linked with every player we are supposedly interested in (Santamaria, Eliason etc) will die down a bit

Not overly worried about their excessive spending on untried individuals unlikely to gel into a cohesive unit (see Fulham 2018/19) - surprised they have allowed a manager of Dean Smith's limitations to invest so heavily and speculatively - a stuttering start and he will surely be gone

Was worried about the continuing Dyche to Villa rumours but less so now - if they make a change they'll be thinking in terms of a Pochettino type or someone of similar status with a pan-European pedigree...............or alternatively Pulis/Warnock/Allardyce if they are bottom at Christmas

[Chester Perry]

The key problem with Villa is the price expectations they are passing on to other Championship clubs selling to the Premier League, they paid an asking price and not their own valuation, which is why the other Premier League clubs walked away - they have also decided to pay Watkins £70k pw according to reports - which is madness and again sends all the wrong king of expectations to agents, it is the hubris of Peter Risdale at Leeds.