Arsenal are intensifying their pursuit of Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins as the transfer deadline approaches, particularly in the wake of Gabriel Jesus's serious knee injury, which has sidelined him for the remainder of the season. This unfortunate development has left the Gunners with only Kai Havertz available as a central forward, prompting urgent discussions about potential reinforcements, as reported by Football365.
In light of Arsenal’s ambitions for the Premier League title, pundits such as Gary Neville have underscored the necessity for the club to secure a forward to bolster their attacking options. Initially, Arsenal's bid for Watkins was reported at £60 million; however, it has since emerged that the actual offer was closer to £45 million. Miguel Delaney from The Independent has suggested that an improved bid of £60 million may be essential to finalise a transfer, particularly following Aston Villa's recent acquisition of Marcus Rashford from Manchester United.
Arsenal first approached Villa regarding Watkins on Monday, indicating that the forward could be available for a specified price. However, reports suggest a significant gap of at least £20 million remains between the two clubs' valuations. While Arsenal had initially aimed to secure Watkins for around £40 million, it has become clear that a £60 million bid would be a more realistic proposition to acquire his services.
Aston Villa's recent transfer activity has been noteworthy, with the sale of Jhon Duran to Al Nassr and the imminent loan arrivals of Marco Asensio from Paris Saint-Germain and Marcus Rashford from Manchester United. These developments could influence potential movements within their squad, including speculation surrounding a possible transfer for Mathys Tel to Tottenham. Villa's financial considerations have prompted Arsenal to escalate their pursuit of Watkins, a player who has previously excelled against the Gunners and has long harboured an admiration for the club.
As Watkins approaches his 29th birthday, Arsenal's interest appears increasingly time-sensitive, creating an urgent atmosphere for a player reportedly eager to join the North London side. Should the Gunners fail to secure Watkins during this window, they may pivot towards younger talents, such as Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig, in the summer transfer market.
Additionally, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has revealed that Arsenal have made a bid for Sverre Nypan, a promising young talent from Rosenborg. Meanwhile, pundit Sue Smith believes that Watkins is likely to remain with Aston Villa, particularly in light of Rashford's arrival. Paul Merson has emphasised the importance of Arsenal focusing their efforts on a specific striker after their initial bid for Watkins fell short, while Premier League legend Alan Shearer suggested that Arsenal may have "hit the panic button" with their first attempt. Reports indicate that Watkins would be "open" to a move to Arsenal, provided the club meets Aston Villa's asking price.