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ASTON VILLA are braced for new Liverpool boss Arne Slot to launch a bid for Ollie Watkins.
The striker, whose 19 Prem goals fired Villa to a Champions League spot, only signed a long-term contract in October.
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But SunSport understands the England man is admired by Dutchman Slot and Villa face a battle to keep the 28-year-old.
Liverpool have doubts over Darwin Nunez, who has been linked with a move to Barcelona.
Nunez is without a goal in his last ten games for the Reds, who see Watkins as a replacement.
The Uruguayan finished the season with 11 goals and eight assists in his 36 Premier League appearances.
Nunez did add six more goals and four assists in the Europa League and EFL Cup.
That has left Villa boss Unai Emery looking at potential alternatives.
Watkins scored a career-best 27 goals in all competitions this term, including eight in their run to the Europa Conference League semi-finals.
His form earned a place in Gareth Southgate’s provisional Euro 2024 squad.
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But he is fighting Brentford striker Ivan Toney to be Harry Kane’s understudy in Germany.
Watkins hopes to prove himself in warm-ups with Bosnia and Herzegovina and Iceland next week.
He signed a new deal at Villa Park last year that will run until 2028.
At the time, he said: “I feel like this is the best place for me to play my football.
“I’ve still got a lot to achieve here.”
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