Arsenal are interested in bringing Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins to North London as a replacement for Alexandre Lacazette.
That’s according to The Sun, who claim that Arsenal have started the process of finding another striker to take Lacazette’s spot.
The Frenchman is out of contract at the end of the season and looks unlikely to be given a new one.
That would leave a major hole for Arsenal to fill in attack, and Watkins is one target to support Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
Watkins an exciting target for Arsenal
Some raised eyebrows when Villa paid a huge £33million to sign Watkins from Brentford in the summer of 2020.
Their faith has been repaid though, as Watkins hit 14 goals in 37 games for Villa last season.
The 25-year-old got off the mark for this season on Sunday, bagging against Tottenham Hotspur.
An England international with ‘crazy’ movement according to teammate Ezri Konsa, Watkins keeps getting better and better.
Interest from Premier League rivals was inevitable, with Arsenal a particularly interesting prospect for Watkins.
Watkins dreams of being a Gunner
In 2020, Watkins told Sports Gazette that his dream is to play for Arsenal, but called it a ‘long shot’.
Watkins grew up supporting Arsenal and admiring Thierry Henry, so a move to the Gunners is surely appealing.
Villa would want a hefty profit on their big outlay for Watkins, so Arsenal will have to come up with a huge offer to make Watkins’ dream come true.
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