£28m PL striker says he’d have joined Arsenal if they bid for him

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Ollie Watkins has admitted to the Super 6 podcast that he would have signed for Arsenal if they opportunity had come about.

The Aston Villa forward has enjoyed an exceptional season in the Premier League after Dean Smith’s side brought him in last summer.

However, it seems that if Arsenal had put him on their radar he may well have picked them over Villa.

Mikel Arteta’s side never recognised the talents of Watkins when he was at Brenford, leaving Villa to battle it out for his signature.

But a very interesting conversation occurred when he was on the latest Super 6 podcast.

“Thierry Henry, he’s the best. Nobody has come close to him,” Watkins said, when asked who the best player he’s seen is.

“He’s an Arsenal fan,” Akinfenwa responded.

To which Laura Woods, who is also a Gunner then said: “Oh right, let’s throw into the mix, when all those teams were after you, and Spurs were in there as well, which now makes sense why you didn’t want to go there, if Arsenal were in there would you have gone there?”

And Watkins revealing responded, saying: “Yeah, I think so. Yeah. My Grandad, all my family [supported them]. I even said it when I was at Brentford and I said it would be a dream to play for Arsenal and I loved them growing up.”

Arsenal may well be kicking themselves that they didn’t land Watkins now.

Arteta has been looking for a number nine all season, and continues to search for a striker heading into the summer.

If Arsenal were to come in for Watkins in the summer he would cost a lot more than the £28 million Aston Villa paid for him though (BBC Sport).

Watkins has bagged 15 goals for Villa this season, including 13 in the league, which his seen his value rocket up and may well put him out of the Gunners price-range now.