Martin Keown has warned Arsenal they have little to no chance of signing England striker Ollie Watkins from Aston Villa.
Arsenal have made a stunning move for Watkins in the final week of the January transfer window, offering Villa £60m for the Premier League star.
Aston Villa rejected the bid but Arsenal are expected to return with an improved offer as they desperately look to bolster Mikel Arteta’s attacking options before the transfer window shuts.
Arsenal legend Keown would be delighted if Watkins moved to the Emirates Stadium but cannot see Villa sanctioning his departure, especially midway through the season.
Watkins has been one of the most consistent goalscorers in the Premier League over the past three seasons, scoring 80 goals in 200 appearances for Villa.
The 29-year-old has earned 18 caps for England and scored in the Euro 2024 semi-final to send Gareth Southgate’s side into the final.
‘They’ve been linked with Ollie Watkins,’ Keown said on TNT Sports before Arsenal’s Champions League clash against Girona on Wednesday night.
‘It’s an interesting one because he’s a decent player. I would want him. I don’t think Villa will accept the deal.
‘They’ve got two very good strikers there haven’t they so eventually one may move on. Or maybe they’ll both stay, I don’t know.
‘But Arsenal are definitely pushing in the last few days of the transfer window and they need to strike.’
Watkins scored 19 goals in the Premier League last season and 27 in all competitions to help Aston Villa qualify for the Champions League.
Arsenal are looking to sign a new striker after losing Gabriel Jesus to a season-ending injury earlier in the month.
Current Arsenal No. 9 Kai Havertz has blown hot and cold since his £65m move from Chelsea in 2023.
Arsenal have also been linked with Benjamin Sesko, Dusan Vlahovic and Victor Osimhen but appear to have made Watkins their first-choice target.
Gunners legend Nigel Winterburn recently insisted he ‘would take’ any of Sesko, Vlahovic or Osimhen as his former club aim to catch Premier League leaders Liverpool in the second-half of the season.
‘The Gunners need a striker to take them to the next level, and that is to win the Premier League,’ he said recently.
‘I would take any of those strikers – it doesn’t matter which one. What matters is who scores the most goals for this team and is the best fit.
‘Each option comes with its own attributes, but the priority is finding the one who can deliver goals consistently to fire Arsenal to the title. Addressing this issue in the squad could drive Arsenal to a league title.’
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