Aston Villa in record bid to replace Ollie Watkins, with long-term striker targeted: report

Aston Villa are said to have tabled a potentially record-breaking bid for a new striker.

Ollie Watkins is undoubtedly still the main man in attack for Unai Emery’s side, but having now entered his 30s, as a forward whose pace is a key feature of his game, it is sensible for Villa to begin planning ahead.

With only Donyell Malen currently able to deputise for Watkins in the no.9 role, it is an area that needs addressing at Villa Park.

Aston Villa eye up record-breaking January transfer

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The Midlands outfit have not always been the biggest spenders, so the signings of Moussa Diaby and Amadou Onana, while significant investments, did not quite breach the €60m (£52.1m) mark.

The deal they are said to want to do this January, however, would scale such heights, and go down as their biggest-ever buy.

Villa have reportedly tabled an offer for Barcelona forward Ferran Torres, according to Spanish outlet Fichajes.

The Premier League side are said to have offered their La Liga counterparts €60m for the 25-year-old striker, who can also play out wide.

The Spain international has, remarkably, managed 14 goals and one assist in all competitions so far this season, despite facing competition for his place from the likes of Robert Lewandowski – ranked at no.14 in FourFourTwo's list of the greatest finishers in football history.

At 25 years old, Torres still has his best years ahead of him, but cash-strapped Barca could use the financial injections, and it is doubtful whether they see their current no.7 as the answer to Lewandowski’s eventual departure.

Having signed for the Catalan club from Manchester City, for whom he made 43 appearances in total, he would also arrive at Villa with Premier League experience already banked, likely making the transition back to English football easier.

In FourFourTwo’s opinion, this deal is one that makes sense.

Torres is clearly among some of the most talented forwards in Europe, but whether he’s in the very upper echelon remains up for debate, and Barca feel likely to elsewhere when Lewandowski leaves.

That status means the La Liga side can command a significant fee, helping their financial issues, while Villa get a player who should be capable of replacing Watkins and potentially even improving the side.

Torres is worth €50m, according to Transfermarkt.