Aston Villa Arsenal Ollie Watkins Mikel Arteta
(credit: Imago)
Villa News Speaking to Martin Allen
Thu 20 March 2025 19:10, UK
Arsenal could be set to reignite their interest in Ollie Watkins after a failed winter move for the Aston Villa star.
The England international has been superb for the Villans ever since signing from Brentford back in 2020 under Dean Smith.
This has seen the 29-year-old flourish under Unai Emery, as Champions League qualification was secured at Villa Park for the first time.
As a result, it isn’t a surprise that the Gunners have shown an interest in his signature, and that could spark the B6 club into action to keep their star striker.
Ollie Watkins
Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins [Credit: Imago]
Aston Villa to table new Watkins contract amid Arsenal interest
In the latter stages of the winter transfer window, Arsenal tabled a £60million bid for Watkins in a failed attempt to sign a striker.
This didn’t pull off and left Mikel Arteta without a recognised striker for the rest of the season, while the Englishman has only managed to score two since the end of the window.
MORE VILLA STORIES
Now the Villa Park faithful will be keen to know whether the North London outfit will return with a fresh bid in the summer or move on to other targets.
Former West Ham midfielder Martin Allen believes Villa will know of any interest and could utilise a new contract to dismiss any potential offers.
“*If Arsenal want him, he will know,*” Allen exclusively told Villa News.
“His agent will be on the phone asking if they want him in the summer. They will know.
“Would he want to go to Arsenal from Aston Villa? I’m not sure, I don’t see Arsenal winning anything with what they’ve currently got.
“If I was Aston Villa, I’d give him an extra year and tie him to the club. He’s still got his pace, he’s got a great attitude, is a good English player, and clubs need that core of good, strong characters to be winners.
“*Aston Villa are getting better every year, and so I don’t think they’d want to sell him, no way.*“
Ollie Watkins
Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins [Credit: Imago]
Aston Villa must hold on to Watkins
It is bizarre that the former Exeter City man divides opinion so much on the terraces in B6.
There have been very few better strikers in the Premier League history of the Villans, with Watkins sitting second in their all-time league ranks.
Even in a so-called “poorer” season this year, the Englishman has still managed to contribute 26 goals in 41 games, which is a truly positive return.
Competition Games played Goals Assists
Premier League 29 13 6
FA Cup 2 0 2
Champions League 10 1 4
Ollie Watkins Aston Villa stats
Winter signing Marcus Rashford has taken plenty of headlines in recent weeks, but even he has failed to score a single goal.
Emery certainly would have a decision to make alongside Monchi, as PSR would come into question if a bid were made for Watkins.
The summer transfer window is certainly going to be interesting in B6.
Related Posts