Ollie Watkins
Ollie Watkins
Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins could once again become a player of interest to Premier League rivals Arsenal this summer, as the Gunners prepare to turn away from Viktor Gyokeres and look elsewhere for a striker in the transfer window.
It's well known that Arsenal are intent on signing a top striker in time for the beginning of the new season, and that had led them to Sporting Lisbon forward Gyokeres who, in the two seasons he has spent in Portugal since arriving from Coventry City in 2023, has scored a remarkable 97 goals.
Arsenal, though, are growing frustrated by the demands of the Portuguese champions, though, and as a result are ready to turn to alternative targets; Benjamin Sesko of RB Leipzig has been mooted, but Record in Portugal claim that Watkins remains of interest to Mikel Arteta as the Londoners look to strengthen their forward line and push harder for the title.
The report also adds that Arsenal have been in touch with Watkins' representatives regarding a potential deal, in order to get a better idea of the willingness of the player to consider a move and the finances involved in order to agree a transfer.
Watkins had been set to feature for England this summer in their World Cup qualifier with Andorra in Spain and then their friendly defeat to Senegal in Nottingham, but was forced to withdraw because of a minor injury. He scored 17 goals in all competitions last season and has 87 in all for Villa since joining from Brentford in 2020.
He admitted to being 'fuming' that he'd missed out on a place in the starting XI over the two Champions League legs in the quarter final tie with eventual champions PSG at the back end of last season, and indicated that he wasn't a player happy to be sitting on the bench. He later clarified that his comments weren't disrespectful and that he had full faith in Unai Emery.
Watkins' omission in the starting line-ups in those games was in no small part down to the participation of teammate Marcus Rashford, whose loan spell with the club has ended after six months at Villa Park. He in turn had helped to fill the void left by the departing Jhon Duran, who is expected to be replaced with a more long-term solution this summer.
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