West Ham United have been urged to sign Aston Villa forward Ollie Watkins this summer.

What's the word?

That is the recommendation of journalist Pete O'Rourke, who has stated that the mooted signing of the seven-cap England international would be an exciting one for the east London club.

The Daily Mail reported that Watkins is a striker that David Moyes would consider this summer, although it is reported that a deal could be difficult to pull off due to the 26-year-old's prominence as Villa's top scorer in the 2021/22 campaign.

Meanwhile, The Guardian claimed that Villa are likely to demand at least £50m if they decide to sell Watkins, so luring him from the Midlands could well be a tough ask.

Nonetheless, O'Rourke told GIVEMESPORT: "I think he’d be a really exciting signing for West Ham and all their fans. He’s really proved at Aston Villa over the last couple of years that he is a top player, who I think can only get better as well.

"West Ham, obviously they’ve needed a new striker for the last few transfer windows and haven’t been able to bring the right one in."

Imagine him and Bowen

Whilst it will surely be tricky to prise Watkins from the clutches of Villa, it would indeed make for an exciting move and a mighty statement of intent from the Hammers.

The 26-year-old, who has been dubbed a "work-force" by CBS Sports' Luis Miguel Echegaray, has maintained consistency in the English top flight. In helping himself to 11 goals this season, he has scored ten or more in his first two Premier League campaigns.

Whilst Antonio is similarly consistent with three consecutive seasons of exactly 10 league goals, the 32-year-old isn't getting any younger. If anything, he would likely benefit from the arrival of Watkins, who could reduce the goalscoring burden that the Jamaica international has carried at the London Stadium over the last few seasons as the Irons' one reliable centre-forward.

However, the most fruitful aspect of this move would be the scarily promising link-up between the England international duo of Watkins and Bowen.

The latter has been a lot more direct this season, with his efforts paying dividends for both himself and the Hammers. His ten assists have been just as important as his 12 goals scored, and with his ability to cut inside, the prospect of a partnership between prolific pace merchants Watkins and Bowen would serve as a huge threat to the rest of the league.

Watkins would surely suit Moyes' counter-attacking transitional style down to a tee.

In other news: Journalist drops 7-word West Ham transfer claim that'll leave supporters buzzing