Arsenal are desperately looking for a striker. They have been linked with various strikers across the Europe. Some names have been very heavily linked but nothing has yet been advanced. According to recent reports, Arsenal are now planning to make a bid for Ollie Watkins.
Ollie Watkins set the Premier League on fire last season. The 28 year old striker played an crucial role for Aston Villa. Unai Emery’s side were able to finish on fourth position in the league securing the champions league spot. Last time Aston Villa played in champions league was in 1982-83 season so it will be an emotional return next season. However, the Villans may lose their star forward to big club.
Ollie Watkins was unstoppable this season. The English striker scored 19 goals along with providing 13 assists in 37 appearances. This performance gained eyes of many big clubs. Recently Gunners are reported to be monitoring Watkins in a possible attempt to sign a striker.
Arsenal to approach Villa for Watkins
Due to failure of Arsenal strikers in scoring on a consistent basis, the club are looking for new striker. The Gunners were linked heavily with Victor Osimhen, Viktor Gyokeres, Benjamin Sesko and many more. However there were no advanced talks reported in any of those. Recently Arsenal are reported to look for English striker to proved unstoppable last season.
According to Online Gooner, Arsenal are planning to make a bid of worth £65 million for Ollie Watkins. The Gunners will start preparing for the new season in July. The club will play against Manchester United and Liverpool in pre-season games being held in America. They also are planning to hold another match against Bournemouth. Mikel Arteta will want to sign a new striker before pre-season games begin and hope he’ll adapt to the new environment as soon as possible.
How Ollie Watkins came into attention
Watkins joined Exter City academy and played primarily as a winger. Watkins made his senior team debut for Exter in 2013-14 season where he came in as a substitute. Shortly before his debut he signed a two year professional contract in April 2014. In the following 2014-15 season, Watkins only managed to make 3 appearances until december when he moved away from Exter on a loan to Weston-Super-Mare. On his loan spell he played 25 matches and scored 10 goals in those.
2015-16 proved to be the breakthrough season for Watkins. The English striker achieved the position as regular starter through his constant good performances. In 2016-17 season, Watkins was crucial member of squad and caught eyes of many bigger clubs.
Watkins signed for Brentford on a four year contract in July 2017. In 2019 he signed a new four year contract with the club. However his great form in 2019-20, ended his time with Brentford as big clubs came in for him. He scored 26 goals in 50 matches in 2019-20 season.
In September 2020, Watkins became a new Aston Villa player. Shortly after his arrival, Watkins made his premier league debut. In October, Watkins scored a perfect hattrick marking his first goals in Premier League. He has ever since been the regular starter for the club. Watkins has played 152 matches for Villa and scored 62 goals along with providing 26 assists. If Arsenal do go for Watkins, they will hope that he keeps delivering like this in North London.
Watkins called up for Euros
Ollie Watkins has been named in Gareth Southgate’s 26 man squad for the Euros. The 28 year old striker would be backup for Harry Kane who is guaranteed to start for the Three Lions. Along with Watkins and Kane, Ivan Toney is also set to catch a plane for Germany. When asked about selection of three strikers, Southgate said its because of different attributes and different strengths of the strikers. It would be the first major international tournament for Ollie Watkins and the Villa striker will hope to achieve the best out of it.
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