Arsenal are eyeing a move for Aston Villa forward Ollie Watkins as the club look to sign a striker this summer.
Watkins has been in superb form this season to fire Aston Villa’s push for Champions League qualification, with the forward having scored 13 goals and provided a league-leading 10 assists in the Premier League.
The 28-year-old’s double at Fulham saw Aston Villa climb back into the Premier League’s top four at the weekend, as The Villans pursue a place in Europe’s elite competition for the first time since 1983.
Watkins’ career-best campaign has placed him in a strong position for involvement with England at Euro 2024 in the summer and reports from Spanish publication Fichajes claim Villa could face a fight to hold onto their leading scorer in the summer.
Arsenal are reportedly considering an approach for Watkins, as Mikel Arteta pursues a reliable source of goals. Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah have managed just nine league goals between them this season and Watkins’ ability to score and create has impressed the North Londoners.
The England international revealed in 2020, while playing for former club Brentford, that he was an Arsenal fan and opened up on his future ambition to play for the Gunners.
“That’s the dream, to play for Arsenal one day,” Watkins said. “But, you know, it’s a long shot. I’m an Arsenal fan so Thierry Henry was my [idol]. He’s unbelievable to watch. He was the idol growing up really.”
However, Villa will demand a huge fee for the striker which could be in excess of €100m (£85.6m).
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