Arsenal handed DREAM boost in striker chase

Arsenal have been handed a major boost in their pursuit of Aston Villa forward Ollie Watkins.

Mikel Arteta’s side launched a late bid for the England international during the January transfer window, but their €46 million offer was swiftly rejected by Villa following the departure of Jhon Duran to Saudi Arabia.

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Arsenal have since diverted their attention to finalising a move for Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres, however FootballTransfers understands that Watkins remains on the club’s radar ahead of the summer window.

Although Unai Emery would be reluctant to lose the 29-year-old, Watkins has now admitted that he isn’t pleased with his current role at Villa Park.

The England centre forward has been named as a substitute in four of Aston Villa’s last five fixtures in all competitions, including during their 3-1 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the first-leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie on Wednesday evening.

Watkins came off the bench to score against Southampton on Saturday, but he expressed his displeasure at his current situation during his post-match interview.

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What has Ollie Watkins said?

“For me, I’m not happy to sit on the bench,” Watkins told reporters following his goal at St Mary’s. “It’s disappointing every game that I’m on the bench, but it’s the manager’s decision at the end of the day.

“Obviously the ball from Youri [Tielemans] was executed perfectly. The importance of it, it keeps us in the fight for the Champions League.

“The timing of the goal, coming off the bench, not being in the starting line-up – disappointed to not play when you put all that into consideration, I’m happy to score.”

Watkins has 15 goals and 12 assists in 46 appearances across all competitions so far this season, while his current contract at Aston Villa isn’t due to expire until 2028.