Liverpool's ideal first summer transfer is worth £85m - and he plays in the Premier League

It is survival of the fittest. Basic Darwinism in practice. A certain Mr. Nunez has not scored in his last ten outings for Liverpool, finished the season with a modest tally of just 11 strikes across 36 appearances in the Premier League, and is understood to be under intense scrutiny from incoming manager Arne Slot. The prospect of a sale has been touted, the implication being the Uruguayan is not fit for purpose.

And if Nunez is to leave Anfield in the coming weeks, reports suggest that his ideal replacement has already been earmarked. You see, in a dream world, Slot and his new transfer chiefs would really, really, really like to bring in Ollie Watkins from Aston Villa. Good luck with that, lads.

The England international has been an integral presence for Unai Emery’s side during their unlikely crusade to Champions League qualification, registering 19 goals and 13 assists across 37 Premier League games this season. Only Erling Haaland, Cole Palmer, and Alexander Isak. Of that trio, only Haaland outscored the Villa striker when considering non-penalty goals alone.

That kind of quality does not come cheap, though, nor without other interested parties too. For a while now, Arsenal have been relentlessly linked with Watkins, and reports on the continent suggest that any successful bid for the 28-year-old would have to be come in well over the £85 million mark. That kind of figure would almost certainly mean that the forward would represent a record signing for Liverpool, eclipsing the comparable fee paid for Nunez just a couple of summers ago.

And while there are those who still believe that the South American could come good on Merseyside, there is no denying that Watkins would feel like a fantastic coup for Liverpool if they were able to pull it off. At this stage in his career, the Villa man is one of the most reliable and versatile goalscorers in the top flight. Whether it be bursts of pace in behind, cunning poacher’s finishes, or the occasional flash of the spectacular, Watkins can do it all, and if Liverpool are serious about making an immediate splash in the post-Jurgen Klopp era, then they could really use a player with his skill set.

Of course, there will be obstacles. There is no way that Villa are going to willingly acquiesce to a sale, and the striker himself is under contract at Villa Park until 2028. Indeed, upon signing that deal last year, Watkins said: "I feel like this is the best place for me to play my football. I've still got a lot to achieve here." Hardly the rhetoric of a talent agitating for an exit.

But everybody has their price, and Villa do continue to face certain pressures from the looming spectre of Financial Fair Play. Perhaps, then, there is wiggle room in their resolve. If that is the case, and if Liverpool are willing to back up their fancies with considerable amounts of money, Watkins could be the ideal acquisition to ignite Slot’s tenure.