Transfer rumour round-up: West Ham tipped to complete double raid for Aston Villa pair

West Ham United are leading the race to sign Aston Villa attacking duo Danny Ings and Ollie Watkins, according to bookmakers.

With Michail Antonio still operating as the Irons’ only out-and-out centre-forward, David Moyes is widely expected to pursue at least one new striking option in the upcoming summer transfer window.

And if the latest odds are to be believed, the Hammers could look to lure both Ings and Watkins away from Villa Park.

At the time of writing, West Ham are favourites to sign the former at a price of 6/1, with their nearest rivals being Brighton at 8/1.

Behind that pair, Ings’ old club Southampton are priced at 10/1, while newly-promoted duo Fulham and Bournemouth are at odds of 12/1 and 16/1 respectively.

Leeds United round up the chasing pack at 25/1.

In Watkins’ case, the Irons hold a much more advantageous position in the eyes of the bookies.

Moyes’ men are priced at 9/2 to land the England international, some way ahead of Arsenal and Newcastle United, who are both on odds of 10/1.

Outside of that trio, Leicester City are seen as the nearest challengers at a relatively distant 16/1.

Of the two players, Watkins enjoyed the more fruitful season in front of goal for Villa, hitting 11 goals and two assists in 35 Premier League outings for Steven Gerrard’s side.

For his part, Ings registered seven goals and six assists in 30 top flight appearances, having only signed for the Villans in August of last year.

Gerrard has claimed on numerous occasions that of the two, Watkins is categorically not for sale, however, with interest in Luis Suarez seemingly growing ever-stronger - it would leave the door open for at least one of the two to depart this summer.

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