Brentford have rejected an approach from West Ham for forward Ollie Watkins, according to EXWHUemployee. The Hammers insider claims the Bees will not allow the 24-year-old to leave during the January transfer window.
The Championship side are currently third in the table and the club’s owners are looking to keep their squad together as they mount a serious promotion challenge under manager Thomas Frank:
We approached Watkins from Brentwood but they do not want to sell any of their players because their chairmen wants to mount a serious push for Premier League promotion https://t.co/2WcN3KyHza
— ExWHUemployee (@ExWHUemployee) January 2, 2020
Watkins has been in superb form for Brentford this season, with his two goals against Bristol City in the 4-0 win yesterday taking his tally to 17 from just 27 Championship appearances.
West Ham are looking to provide more competition for Sebastien Haller, and while Watkins may well be a non-starter, the London club do have a number of other options.
Chelsea’s Olivier Giroud, Inter Milan striker Gabriel Barbosa and Hull City’s Jarrod Bowen are also names being considered, but it remains to be seen who will be their top target.