Arsenal are once again interested in Ollie Watkins with Mikel Arteta allegedly asking for the Aston Villa striker to be signed.
That’s according to transfer reporter Rudy Galetti, who claims that Watkins is on Arsenal’s list for the summer transfer window.
Galetti suggests that Watkins is ‘really appreciated’ by Arteta and the Arsenal boss has asked for him to be signed.
Arsenal may well need to bring in another striker this summer.
Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah being injured at the same time has exposed a lack of top-level competition in attack.
Leandro Trossard has filled in up top but Arteta may want another proven Premier League striker in Watkins.
Folarin Balogun can’t be forgotten about though; the Arsenal talent has been on fire during his loan spell at Reims this season.
Some Arsenal fans may prefer to see Balogun promoted than have big money spent on Watkins but Arteta appears keen on the Villa man.
Ollie Watkins loves Arsenal
Watkins, 27, was born in Devon and came up through the Exeter City ranks but he actually grew up supporting Arsenal.
Watkins told Pro Direct Soccer in 2022 that he was a ‘big Arsenal fan’ growing up.
Back in his Brentford days, Watkins also admitted that his ultimate dream was to play for Arsenal one day.
It’s pretty clear that, if Arsenal did come calling for Watkins, the Villa hitman would jump at the chance.
Watkins even scored against Arsenal last month, rifling a superb finish past Aaron Ramsdale at Villa Park.
Maybe that performance caught Arteta’s eye with the idea of signing him to compete with Jesus.
Watkins has scored 33 times in 95 Premier League games for Villa and Arteta may feel there is even more to come.
Villa struck a £33million deal for Watkins back in 2020 and would expect a hefty fee given that he is under contract until 2025.
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