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Arsenal to reignite interest in signing Ollie Watkins

By on May 2, 2025

Ollie Watkins Aston Villa

Arsenal are reportedly planning to reignite interest in signing Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins, as per Football Insider.

After moving to Villa Park from Brentford back in 2020, the 29-year-old has established himself as the talismanic figure. He even helped his side finish in the top four in the Premier League last campaign.

The Englishman has showcased his productivity this season as well, making 29 goal contributions in all competitions. However, Unai Emery used Marcus Rashford, who has joined on a loan deal from Manchester United in the winter window, in both Champions League quarter-final games against PSG.

Furthermore, the Spanish boss deployed the 27-year-old in the striker position in a crucial Premier League game against Manchester City recently, keeping Watkins on the bench.

Now, Football Insider state that Arsenal have been keeping a close eye on the forward’s situation at Villa Park as they have identified him as a serious target to reinforce the frontline this summer.

However, Rashford has sustained an injury that is set to keep him out of action for the remainder of this season. So, Watkins will regain his spot in Emery’s starting eleven once again.

Watkins to Arsenal

Arsenal attempted to hire the Englishman in the winter window and even submitted a formal proposal. However, Villa turned down the bid as they didn’t want to part ways with their star man in midseason.

The report say that Liverpool are also interested in Watkins to reinforce the No.9 position. Therefore, purchasing him won’t be straightforward for the North London club.

The 29-year-old is valued at around £43m by Transfermarkt and still has three years left in his current contract. Therefore, Aston Villa are in a strong position to demand a big fee to sell him this summer.

Arsenal need an experienced striker to close the gap with Liverpool and finally win the Premier League title. Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus are the centre-forward options Arsenal currently have, but neither has managed to prove that they can help the club become the English champions.

It is going to be interesting to see whether the Emirates club eventually manage to secure Watkins’s service in the upcoming transfer window.