Everton signing Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins before the transfer window closes tonight is still a possibility, believes journalist Simon Phillips.

The 26-year-old has been linked with a move to Goodison Park, and Phillips is refusing to rule it out.

GiveMeSport Transfer Verdict

What is the latest news involving Watkins?

Last month, Football Insider claimed that Everton had registered their interest in signing Watkins.

With Richarlison leaving for Tottenham and Dominic Calvert-Lewin out injured, Frank Lampard needed to add some firepower to his team.

With the addition of Neal Maupay from Brighton, the 44-year-old was able to do that.

However, it will now be interesting to see if he feels he needs a bit more and decides to move for another centre-forward like Watkins.

What has Philips said about Watkins and Everton?

While it is late in the transfer window, Phillips is not ruling out Watkins moving to Goodison Park.

Speaking to GIVEMESPORT, the journalist said: "Ollie Watkins, by the way, I'm definitely not ruling out. I think he's still on the table, and I think Villa would be open to selling him.

"There's something there with him and Steven Gerrard. I'm not sure they completely see eye-to-eye, so that one, I think, could still be done."

What were Watkins stats last season?

In total, Watkins made 36 appearances during the 2021/22 campaign and managed to score 11 goals.

It is not the worst record, but it was a drop-off from the 16 he registered the season prior, though the £31.5m-rated England international did play more games that term.

Whatever the case, Watkins is a very capable striker who has proven himself at this level.

"I knew what he was and what he was like as a person and how he wanted to grow and get better," his former manager Dean Smith previously said (via Coaches' Voice) when discussing his improvement as a player.

"His game has got better. I've always said he is one of the best pressing centre-forwards in the Premier League, which is huge praise indeed. He is backing that up with goals. It's what we paid a lot of money for."

All in all, Watkins could be a great addition to Everton's squad, but whether Villa would actually be willing to sanction the sale of their first-choice striker this late in the transfer window remains to be seen. It is going to be extremely difficult for them to find a replacement of his quality at this stage.