Insider claims Ollie Watkins could be open to joining Arsenal..
Ollie Watkins might be open to joining Arsenal in the summer if an offer is forthcoming as Mikel Arteta continues to search for a new striker.
According to Football Insider, Ollie Watkins is reportedly open to joining Arsenal in the summer if an offer is forthcoming. There’s no clarity whether the Gunners are ready to re-ignite their pursuit of the 29-year-old Premier League star after failing to land him in January from Aston Villa.
A lot has been spoken about Arsenal’s failure to sign a new striker in January when both their first-choice forwards suffered season-ending injuries. The Gunners were linked to many names in that period, while they reportedly failed with a move for Ollie Watkins, as Aston Villa rejected a late bid from the north Londoners.
Watkins was reportedly open to the move even after the window shut, which was an indication that he could open the doors around the summer window. The 29-year-old Premier League star is a boyhood Arsenal fan and would love for a move to materialise.
Aston Villa could sell Watkins after his time there was called into question following Unai Emery’s decision to start on-loan attacker Marcus Rashford in place of their main striker. The club rejected a move from Arsenal in the January window as they ended up selling Jhon Duran to Al-Nassr instead.
However, should an offer arrive from Arsenal once again, Watkins could do all he can to make the switch. The Gunners are in the market for a new striker, but there are doubts whether they are likely to return with a bid for the 29-year-old Premier League star in the summer.
Arsenal have other striker targets
Mikel Arteta reportedly views Alexander Isak as his dream target to lead the line for the team. The Swede is part of their transfer plans, as Arsenal plans a huge outlay to sign a striker as well as a winger in the summer. There are doubts whether the Newcastle United star is a realistic target, as the Magpies are ready to price out suitors with an exorbitant asking price.
Arsenal are also working to sign Viktor Gyokeres, with the other Swedish striker seen more as a realistic target in the summer. With those names in the mix, as well as that of Benjamin Sesko, the Gunners are unlikely to invest big money on the 29-year-old Premier League star from Aston Villa as they are willing to bring in a much younger option.
Aston Villa and Arsenal now favourites to sign ‘bargain’ £42.5m striker as Ollie Watkins dilemma arises.
The latest on Aston Villa and Arsenal’s pursuit of Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic.
Aston Villa and Arsenal are reportedly stepping up their interest in Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic ahead of the summer transfer window.
The Villans and the Gunners are both eager to bolster their attacking options before next season and are considering Vlahovic as an option on their respective shortlists. Juve are open to a sale and could let the striker leave for a bargain price in the coming months, so both Villa and Arsenal are on red alert.
Since signing from Fiorentina for around €80 million (£68m) in January 2022, Vlahovic has scored 55 goals and made 14 assists in 139 appearances for Juve. I Bianconeri have failed with their attempt to renew Vlahovic’s contract and are now hoping to cash in, as the striker has just 13 months remaining on his current deal.
About The Author
