Arsenal's pursuit of Aston Villa star Ollie Watkins in the January transfer window means that a summer move shouldn't be ruled out for the England international, according to Gunners insider Charles Watts - with the club searching desperately for a new talisman to lead their line after falling short over the past six months.
Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus - Arsenal's two main strikers - both picked up season-ending injuries in the space of three weeks in the winter, meaning that Mikel Merino had to feature as an auxiliary striker. That has prompted director Andrea Berta to search for a new frontman - and a move for Watkins hasn't been ruled out.
Report: Arsenal Could Return For Watkins After January Failure
The Gunners have been in the market for a striker and could return for the England star
Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins pointing
The report by Watts, via CaughtOffside, states that amid Arsenal's bid for Watkins in January, it's 'impossible' to rule out a return bid from the Gunners for the Villa striker.
Ollie Watkins' Premier League statistics - Aston Villa squad ranking
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Mikel Arteta remains an admirer of the England star, though it's thought that a move will only go through if they fail to land RB Leipzig prodigy Benjamin Sesko and Sporting star Viktor Gyokeres.
The European duo are the priorities when it comes to a new striker, but Watkins could be an option for the north London outfit if neither were to arrive - especially being a Premier League-proven player, having become Villa's all-time top scorer in the competition in his five years at the club - seeing him labelled as 'one of the best strikers in Europe'.
Watkins could even come in alongside Sesko and Gyokeres, though a move is uncertain, according to Watts, but that isn't entirely realistic given the money spent elsewhere on their squad. Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi is all but set to move to the north London club for £51million, whilst money will be spent on a new winger - with Rodrygo and Nico Williams being touted for moves from La Liga also.
Any possibility of Watkins moving to the Emirates Stadium would depend on what Villa's asking price is, with the club valuing him at £60million back in January - more than the £40million that Arsenal wanted to pay at the time.
And, with Watkins set to turn 30 at the end of the year, Villa would have to reduce their asking price for the former Brentford man for any deal to become a reality.
Statistics courtesy of WhoScored. Correct as of 06-06-25.
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