Arsenal are making headlines with their pursuit of Aston Villa and England striker Ollie Watkins as the January transfer window nears its conclusion. Mikel Arteta is eager to bolster his attacking options following the season-ending injury to Gabriel Jesus, which has left the Gunners in need of a reliable goal scorer. Despite the struggles faced by Kai Havertz in front of goal since his arrival from Chelsea for £65 million, Arteta continues to back the player.
In recent weeks, Arsenal have been linked with a variety of forwards, including Benjamin Sesko, Dusan Vlahovic, and Victor Osimhen. However, reports from the Daily Mail suggest that the club's attention has now turned firmly towards Watkins. Arsenal have made a significant bid for the 27-year-old, who has established himself as a standout performer in the Premier League over the past three seasons. Aston Villa, however, have reportedly rejected an initial offer of around £60 million, indicating that Arsenal may need to return with an improved proposal.
Arteta has long held Watkins in high regard, particularly given the striker's impressive record of scoring in double figures in the Premier League for five consecutive seasons. Last season was particularly noteworthy for Watkins, who netted 27 goals across all competitions, playing a pivotal role in Aston Villa's successful campaign that saw them secure a Champions League spot under former Arsenal manager Unai Emery.
Watkins, who began his professional career at Brentford, also made a significant impact on the international stage during last summer's European Championship, scoring a dramatic late winner in the semi-final against the Netherlands. His performances led to calls for Gareth Southgate to consider Watkins over England's all-time leading goal scorer, Harry Kane, during the tournament.
Currently, Watkins is contracted to Aston Villa for another three years, but the prospect of joining Arsenal may be particularly enticing for him, especially given his long-standing support for the club. In 2020, while still at Brentford, he expressed his aspirations to play for Arsenal, stating, "It would be my dream... But, you know, it's a long shot."
Arsenal's management believes that acquiring Watkins could be crucial in their quest for Premier League success as the season progresses. The Gunners currently trail league leaders Liverpool by six points, who also have a game in hand, while Aston Villa find themselves in eighth place, balancing their domestic league commitments with their European ambitions. Aston Villa have advanced to the next round of the Champions League but may face a play-off for the knockout stages, depending on the outcome of their final group match against Celtic and other factors.
The bold approach taken by Arsenal could catch Villa off guard, particularly in light of reports suggesting that their other striker, Jhon Duran, may be on the verge of a move away from the club this month. Interest has been shown from Arsenal, Chelsea, and West Ham, but Duran appears to be nearing a transfer to Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr.
As this story unfolds, further updates will be provided.