Chelsea ready to launch £60 million move to sign 29-year-old Premier League star in summer window: Reports

Chelsea are reportedly ready to splash £60 million to rope in Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins after the end of the ongoing 2024-25 campaign.

Watkins, 29, has cemented himself as one of the leading forwards in the Premier League over the last few seasons. The former Brentford attacker helped his side finish fourth in the Premier League standings last season, registering 19 goals and 15 assists in 37 league appearances.

So far this season, Watkins has started 39 of his 50 overall appearances for Aston Villa. He has found the back of the opposition net 16 times and provided 13 assists in 3,241 minutes of first-team action for Unai Emery's outfit so far. 

According to Football Transfers, Aston Villa have set a £60 million asking price for Watkins ahead of the summer transfer window. Chelsea, on the other hand, are ready to pay the aforementioned fee to strengthen their offensive ranks this summer. 

Watkins, who has a contract until June 2028 at Aston Villa, was allegedly linked with Arsenal earlier this year. The right-footed striker could attract attention from the Gunners again this summer. He could also potentially join Manchester United should Marcus Rashford join Villa in a swap deal.

Chelsea urged to sign 26-year-old star

During an interaction on The Cycling GK podcast, ex-Manchester United star Ben Foster was asked if he would take Aaron Ramsdale at Chelsea. He replied (h/t Metro):

"Yes, I would. He would be an upgrade [to Robert Sanchez]. He needs to find a team that are going to be a solid, settled Premier League team and you'll get another 10 years out of Aaron Ramsdale at the top level. That's what Ramsdale needs. There's a really good signing there."

Opining more on the Blues' goalkeeping situation, Foster commented:

"The funny thing is that Chelsea's best goalkeeper this year has been out on loan at Bournemouth. I think Kepa [Arrizabalaga] has been fantastic for Bournemouth this season. [I don't know] whether they will sign him in the summer or not because there's going to be a bit of a merry-go-round."

Ramsdale, 26, has recorded two clean sheets and conceded 60 goals in 26 league outings for Southampton since leaving Arsenal last summer. 

So far, the five-cap England international has made 179 appearances in the Premier League. The former Bournemouth and Sheffield United man has kept 40 shutouts and shipped 272 league goals for four clubs so far.