Arsenal are said to be interested in signing Ollie Watkins this summer – now, Mikel Arteta may be even more keen on a deal.
What’s the story?
Well – according to Rudy Galetti – Arteta has asked Edu to sign the England international from Aston Villa.
It comes amid a time where Watkins is hitting a hot streak under Unai Emery in the Midlands.
The £28m man’s latest strike was a delightful lob over Kepa Arrizabalaga in Saturday’s 2-0 win over Chelsea, which actually put him among esteemed company in Harry Kane and Mohamed Salah.
Watkins has now joined the Tottenham No.10 and the Liverpool No.11 in reaching double figures for goals in each of the last three Premier League seasons, which is quite the achievement for the Arsenal target.
The 27-year-old has now netted ten goals in 27 Premier League appearances this term.
It comes after Watkins scored 14 Premier League goals in the 2020/21 campaign, before bagging 11 in the 2021/22 season.
Arsenal do not need Watkins
As talented as the Aston Villa No.11 clearly is, we aren’t sure if Arteta even needs him at the moment.
Emery will surely want a sum in the region of £50m for his talisman, and with the likes of Folarin Balogun returning to the Emirates Stadium next season, that money can be better spent elsewhere for Edu.
The England Under-21 international is expected to make a real impact under Arteta in north London, having scored 17 goals in Ligue 1 this season during a loan spell at Reims.
Watkins also wouldn’t exactly be an investment for the future either, given the fact he turns 28 in December.
Arteta is already struggling to find a spot for Eddie Nketiah following the arrival of Leandro Trossard and the return of Gabriel Jesus, so adding another centre-forward to his options would be madness unless someone leaves.
In other news, Confirmed: Stellini makes Ivan Perisic decision as Everton v Tottenham Hotspur lineups emerge
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