Brentford manager Thomas Frank has said he doesn’t fear losing in-form forward Ollie Watkins in the January transfer window.
The 23-year-old was linked with Premier League sides Crystal Palace, Southampton and AFC Bournemouth over the summer and could be targeted again this winter.
However, Frank is confident the London side can hold onto him and when asked about if he is worried about top flight clubs looking at him, he replied, as per a report by London Football News: “No. Why? He is enjoying it here. I can only praise him for his work ethic – look how hard he works throughout the game.”
“That’s a massive, big thing for us. We were pressing high constantly in the second half – chasing everything and keep on pushing up. His focus is on developing and wanting to get better.”
Watkins, who has scored eight goals so far this season in the Championship, has filled the void up front left by Neal Maupay’s departure to Brighton and Hove Albion for Brentford.
The Torquay-born man started his career at Exeter City and burst into their first team as a youngster before he was signed by the Bees in 2017.
He scored 11 goals in his first year in the second tier, followed by 12 in the last campaign.
Watkins’ contract at Griffin Park expires in 2023, can his side keep hold of him in the January transfer window?
