Arsenal are reportedly plotting a summer move for Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins, who has been thrust into hot-form under new manager Unai Emery. The Gunners will monitor Watkins’ situation as he negotiates a new contract in west Midlands, according to Football Insider. His current contract with the club will expire in the summer of 2025.
Arsenal are thought to have previously been interested in Watkins and may reopen negotiations to sign the English forward. However, Villa and the strikers’ agents are confident that a new contract will be worked out at Villa Park. However, in a situation which turns out to be a complete opposite one, the Gunners want to make sure they are the first ones to knock on the strikers’ door.
Watkins’ ‘dream’ to play for Arsenal could come true as the Gunners plot an offer
With 13 goals and five assists in 32 games across all competitions, Watkins has been a valuable asset for the Villans this season. Since Emery took over for Steven Gerrard in October, it has been a complete turnaround for the 27-year-old forward. Watkins had a tough run around with the ex-Liverpool captain, scoring just twice in 14 games.
However, Emery’s appointment has changed the course for Watkins, who has now scored an astonishing 11 goals in 18 games under the former Arsenal manager, with nine goals in last 11 Premier League outings. Watkins’ exploits have helped Aston Villa firmly sitting sixth in the Premier League and in contention to qualify for Europe. As a result, the Villa striker may receive a lucrative new deal that would pay him more than £100,000 per week, a significant hike on his current £75,000 wages.
It is being understood that Emery and the higher chiefs at Villa Park want to reward Watkins for his recent hot form. However, a reward could arrive from north London as well, in the form of an offer from Arsenal. Mikel Arteta is understood to be a long-time admirer of the talented striker, and sees this summer as the perfect opportunity to add him to his already stacked frontline.
Moreover, it is well-known that Watkins is a boyhood Arsenal fan, which could prove to be an advantage for the Gunners if they decide to make a move for him. Watkins had also admitted that he is a huge fan of the Gunners’ legend Thierry Henry, and that he idolises the Frenchman as an ‘Arsenal fan’. The Villa striker had told Sports Gazette in 2020:
“That’s the dream to play for Arsenal one day. But it’s a long shot. It’s only because my family support them and stuff like that. But that’s a long-term [goal]. I’m an Arsenal fan, so Thierry Henry was my [favourite player]. He’s unbelievable to watch. He was the idol growing up really.”
Meanwhile, the Gunners are still looking for a striker after Gabriel Jesus’ post-World Cup injury left Arteta short on options up front, despite Eddie Nketiah’s outstanding fill-in performance with many vital goals. Folarin Balogun will be welcomed back from his successful loan stint at Reims this summer, but it has been reported that Arsenal may want to sell the promising youngster in order to finance the acquisition of another forward.