Arsenal legend Sol Campbell has claimed that the rise of Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins has been ‘unbelievable’, as he told talkSPORT.
From donning the colours of Weston-Super-Mare to scoring goals in the Premier League for Villa, it has been quite a journey for the boyhood Arsenal fan.
That road has also led Watkins to England recognition and he earned ten minutes for his country on Saturday as the Three Lions thrashed Andorra 5-0 in their World Cup qualifier.
Watkins performances haven’t gone unnoticed because there are suggestions that Arsenal are looking to sign the 25-year-old.
Of course, Villa will have something to say about that, but Campbell, who managed in the lower leagues when Watkins was working his way up, had nothing but praise for the player.
“Watkins has played really well, hasn’t he?” said Campbell. “I remember when I was at Macclesfield and he’s come via Exeter.
“He has done unbelievable. He then went to Brentford and now he’s in the Premier League. I think he has earnt his place (for England).”
Villa did part ways with their star man Jack Grealish this summer when Manchester City paid £100 million for his talents.
But the key thing here is that he joined a team in the Champions League and that after they met his release clause.
That just goes to show that Arsenal need to be in the Champions League for Villa to even consider selling their £28 million star striker (BBC Sport).
And just like Grealish, they are going to be an inflated price over his head, which makes it even more difficult for someone like Arsenal to sign him.
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