Arsenal are reportedly making advancements in their attempts to sign Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins this summer having taken a step back from Viktor Gyokeres.
In the January transfer window, Arsenal made a ploy for Watkins after it emerged that Villa needed to sell either Jhon Duran or the ex-Exeter City striker that summer.
Despite making a bid for the England international Unai Emery's side were able to strike a deal for Duran with Al Nassr, negating the need to sell Watkins.
Since then, the 29-year-old has admitted to being frustrating at his lack of playing time for Villa when they brought in Marcus Rashford on loan from Manchester United.
This has sparked speculation that Arsenal may be able to go back in for Watkins this summer and Portuguese media outlet Record think that is exactly the case.
They claim that Arsenal have taken a step back from the race for Sporting's Gyokeres after the Lisbon club continue to value the Swede at £68 million. Such a figure is thought to be outside their budget with RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko seen as the top priority.
The report goes on to mention that Arsenal have advanced in their pursuit of Watkins having been forced to look at other options. It is claimed that a deal with Villa could be struck for less than the £40m mentioned as their asking price.
On top of this, it is mentioned that the 'Londoners' met with Watkins' team this week to discuss the finances of a deal and there is thought to be an openness towards doing a deal quickly if needed.
The England international's desire to move to Arsenal stems from his boyhood support for the club.
"That’s the dream, to play for Arsenal one day. "But, you know, it’s a long shot," Watkins said back in 2020.
"I’m an Arsenal fan so Thierry Henry was my (idol), he’s unbelievable to watch," he added. "He was the idol growing up really."
Watkins has also lived in London previously having represented Brentford for three years before moving to Villa.
Moving for the 29-year-old could prove to be frugal business by Mikel Arteta and his sporting director Andrea Berta with the forward having scored 17 goals and grabbed 14 assists for his current team this past season.
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Arsenal Manager Mikel Arteta, Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Jesus with the Arsenal Therapy Dog Win during the Arsenal Men's team group shoot at London Colney on September 18, 2023
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