Former Premier League legend Alan Shearer has raised concerns over Arsenal's pursuit of Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins, suggesting that the Gunners may be "hitting the panic button" amid a growing injury crisis. Arsenal's initial bid, reportedly around £60 million, was rejected on Wednesday evening, with sources indicating the actual figure was closer to £45 million. This comes as the club grapples with the long-term injury of Gabriel Jesus, who is expected to be sidelined for the remainder of the season, leaving Kai Havertz as their only viable centre-forward option.
Havertz has faced scrutiny for his conversion rate in recent matches but has risen to the occasion, helping Arsenal navigate a demanding fixture list across multiple competitions. Meanwhile, Aston Villa manager Unai Emery has been firm in his resolve not to sell Watkins, particularly following the transfer of Jhon Duran to Al-Nassr. Emery stated, "I don't want (him to leave). It is good news to have offers from other clubs. We want to keep our sporting objective through the players we have in the squad. Every player can be in the market if it is good for the player and the club. To get this deal we are going to be demanding. Watkins is our striker."
Speaking to Betfair, Shearer expressed scepticism about Arsenal's chances of securing Watkins at this juncture, stating, "There's no way Arsenal get Ollie Watkins now, I mean they just couldn't do it, even if they thought it was a good business deal, it was either going to be one or the other and they chose to let Duran go." He was particularly critical of the timing of Arsenal's bid, remarking, "From an Arsenal point of view it was pretty naughty the timing of it, on the afternoon of a Champions League game, when you consider they've had all month to put the bid in."
Shearer elaborated further, stating, "It doesn't take an idiot to work out what they need and now Arsenal have hit the panic button. I don't know why it's taken them so long to realise that they need a centre forward. So many people have talked about it for such a long time." He noted that while injuries to key players like Bukayo Saka and Jesus have intensified the situation, the need for a striker was apparent long before these setbacks. "The only surprise to me is it's taken so long in the window for them to make a move," he added. "Watkins is the sort of player that would make the difference for them; in him, you're getting someone who's ready-made, but Villa are not going to sell him."
In related developments, TBR Football has reported that Arsenal, along with other Premier League clubs, has been presented with the opportunity to sign Bayer Leverkusen striker Victor Boniface. The forward became available after a proposed move to Saudi Arabia fell through due to Duran's transfer. Previously, a deal worth over £50 million had been negotiated with Bayer Leverkusen for Boniface to join Al-Nassr, but the club opted for Duran instead. Boniface, who has garnered significant attention in England, is now attracting interest from clubs including Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur, and Manchester United.
Despite the increasing urgency surrounding Arsenal's search for a striker, manager Mikel Arteta has maintained a consistent narrative regarding the club's transfer strategy. However, as the transfer deadline approaches, the situation remains fluid, with reports suggesting that Watkins may be "open" to a move to Arsenal should Aston Villa's asking price become more defined. The ongoing scrutiny of Arsenal's transfer tactics continues to fuel discussions about their future strategy in the market, leaving fans and analysts alike eager to see how this situation unfolds.