Supporters of Tottenham Hotspur have been reacting to a claim regarding Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins which was made by The Athletic.
On Wednesday, it was revealed that the Villans had secured the services of the English striker from Brentford for a club-record fee of £28m, which could rise to £33m with add-ons (per BBC).
Following the move, The Athletic released a report by David Ornstein and Gregg Evans which detailed the move from the Bees to Villa.
In that report, it was claimed that Spurs were Villa’s main rival for the signing and that the north London club was ‘not in a position to move quickly because of the finances involved’.
The report went on to state that Watkins’ ‘rapidly inflating fee’ was an ‘obstacle’ which Spurs could not overcome at the speed which was required.
This was relayed to Tottenham fans by The Spurs Web, and it had lots of them talking.
? The Athletic: Tottenham were Villa’s main rivals for Watkins. He was open to the move and confident he would have enjoyed plenty of game time across numerous competitions. However, Spurs were not in a position to move quickly because of the finances involved. pic.twitter.com/jF88KNyRq4
— The Spurs Web ?? (@thespursweb) September 9, 2020
being out priced by villa, thought we were a big club now?
— ???? (@_thfcjack) September 9, 2020
Can’t even outbid Villa, unreal ? #EnicOut
— Joe #EnicOut (@JoeGTHFC) September 9, 2020
It was also stated in The Athletic’s report that the trio of the 2019/20 Championship season’s promoted clubs – Leeds United, Fulham and West Bromwich Albion – were also keen on the striker.
Terrible business from Levy as always
— Felix ???? (@felix_coys) September 9, 2020
Big loss.
— Stephen John Taylor (@StephenJohnTay4) September 9, 2020
What is happening to this club?! So hope the club gets sold soon.
— Jay Dee (@Wobbly_Desk) September 9, 2020
It is perhaps no surprise that a number of Premier League clubs were after the 24-year-old forward, following his 26-goal haul in the most recent Championship campaign (per WhoScored).
Furthermore, the Englishman’s 7.26/10 average rating in the second tier made him the second-best performer for Brentford.
Would Ollie Watkins have been a good signing for Tottenham?
Yes, he would've been
No, he's not good enough
Lol what
— HarveyWhiteGOAT?? (@thfclucas_) September 9, 2020
Although he’s overpriced the fact we can’t compete with Aston Villa is shameful and utter embarrassing
— Glen (@Glxn) September 9, 2020
As can be seen in these responses from Spurs fans, they were clearly frustrated that the club could not find the funds quickly enough to land the signing of Watkins.