Paul Merson has urged Arsenal to ‘steam in’ and sign Aston Villa striker, Ollie Watkins, as he told Sky Sports (15/01/22 at 2:05 pm).
The former Villa and Arsenal midfielder was praising the signing of Philippe Coutinho and how a player like that ‘doesn’t lose talent’.
But, as a result of it, he urged Mikel Arteta’s side to add Watkins to the club’s ranks.
Arsenal are due to have a striker shortage in the summer, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah seemingly heading for the exit door.
So, there is no doubt that signing a striker, whether it’s during the January transfer window or in the summer, will be on the transfer wishlist.
And Merson, before praising Coutinho’s arrival, suggested that Watkins is the man for them.
“Aston Villa are crying out for a superstar,” said Merson. “They have got one (Coutinho). You don’t lose talent. You can’t teach that. That’s not taught.
“This lad carried Liverpool, at times. It’s the way Steven Gerrard plays him, let teams worry about him, rather him having to track back some average player back to his own box.
“But, if I was Arsenal now, I would go and steam in to try and get Watkins. If I was Arsenal.”
Aston Villa sold their star man, Jack Grealish, in a pretty reluctant manner, but they made sure they got their pennies worth for his talents.
And if Watkins were to ever leave, then the buying club would have to put some serious dough on the table for his talents.
Villa paid Brentford £28 million (BBC Sport) for Watkins, which will rise to £33 million and, at the very least, those in the B6 boardroom would want double that.
It would be a huge surprise if Arsenal were to throw that sort of money on Watkins or if Villa were to let him go that easily.
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