Former footballer Andy Gray has urged Arsenal to make a substantial £100 million bid for Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins, while expressing concerns about the timing of the Gunners' interest. With the January transfer window nearing its conclusion, Arsenal find themselves in urgent need of a new striker. On Wednesday, the club initiated discussions to acquire Watkins, who has been in outstanding form for Villa, a team currently progressing through the Champions League knockout stages.
Watkins has a commendable scoring record against Arsenal, having found the net in his last two appearances at the Emirates Stadium. Last season, he achieved an impressive tally of 27 goals across all competitions. Gunners manager Mikel Arteta has earmarked Watkins as a primary target, yet the dwindling time frame for negotiations adds a layer of urgency to the situation. Compounding Arsenal's challenges is Villa's reported interest in Jhon Duran, who is on the verge of a lucrative move to Saudi Arabia, potentially complicating matters for the Midlands club.
Gray emphasised the necessity for Arsenal to present a compelling offer to persuade Villa to part with their star striker. During a discussion on beIN SPORTS, he remarked, "I think the timing is poor. Is it going to get done in the next couple of days? There's talk of a massive bid from Saudi for Jhon Duran so there's uncertainty in that area of the pitch for Unai Emery. I would be amazed if Aston Villa decided, for any money, to part ways with Ollie Watkins. I would be amazed. Arsenal are his boyhood club so it's always your dream to play for them, especially when they are as good as they are. I actually think he would be a good fit for Arsenal, I really do. But I would not like to see him leave Aston Villa right now, especially with the uncertainty around Duran. I would be amazed if they sold him for any money in this window; I cannot see them letting him go."
Gray further critiqued Arsenal's approach, asserting, "Arsenal are panicking with a few days to go, throw £100m on the table and see if that tempts them." This potential fee would nearly match the record amount Arsenal paid for Declan Rice 18 months ago. Securing Watkins could significantly bolster Arsenal's ambitions of clinching the Premier League title.
Unai Emery, the Villa manager, has acknowledged the importance of retaining key players while remaining open to offers. He stated, "I don't want [to sell]. 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." He added, "The club is working and we have to be intelligent in the market. Our objective here is to keep our structure because we want to keep the level high, and maybe we have to sell some players."
As reported by The Mirror, the current situation underscores the intricate balancing act Villa must perform as they navigate the January transfer window, all while striving to maintain their squad's strength and competitive edge. The coming days will be crucial for both clubs as they seek to solidify their respective ambitions.