Premier League

Exclusive: Frank McAvennie regrets West Ham not signing Ollie Watkins last summer

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Image for Exclusive: Frank McAvennie regrets West Ham not signing Ollie Watkins last summer

Frank McAvennie has exclusively told This is Futbol that he wanted West Ham to sign Ollie Watkins last summer.

Following Brentford’s failure to win the play-offs, the England striker was a man in demand after his outstanding goalscoring form in the Championship.

Watkins enjoyed the most prolific campaign of his career, netting 26 times in 46 league appearances to fire Brentford within touching distance of the Premier League.

West Ham were reportedly interested in the frontman towards the end of last season, but after the Bees were beaten by Fulham in the play-off final, Watkins opted to join Aston Villa, where perhaps he was guaranteed more regular first-team football.

Villa had lost Wesley to a long-term injury, whilst Watkins would have been battling with Michail Antonio and Sebastien Haller for a starting place at the London Stadium.

Watkins has since enjoyed an impressive first season in the Premier League, scoring 12 times for Villa, including a hat-trick against Liverpool.

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Nice easy one to start off with. How much do you think Declan Rice is worth?

And McAvennie told This is Futbol that he wishes West Ham had signed him instead:

“I wanted West Ham to sign the boy Watkins last year. I think Ollie is a great player, and he would have come to West Ham.

“He’s doing great.”

With Haller not exactly pulling up trees, and Antonio always a risk with his constant hamstring problems, West Ham might have been reaping the rewards of signing Watkins right now. Their top four hopes are fading with every passing week following their lack of a striker.

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