Arsenal are moving quickly.
With Sporting Lisbon unwilling to lower their £68 million valuation of Viktor Gyokeres, the Gunners have opened discussions with Ollie Watkins’ representatives as per Portuguese outlet Record.
The Aston Villa striker, a boyhood Arsenal fan, could be available for around £40 million—less than half of Gyokeres’ price tag.
A meeting between Arsenal and Watkins’ agent took place last week, and there is willingness on both sides. For Mikel Arteta’s side, the attraction is clear: Watkins is Premier League proven, in form, and attainable without breaking the bank.
For the player, the lure of leading the line for the club he supported as a child may be too strong to resist.
Villa resisted Arsenal’s January advances, but the landscape is shifting.
Without Champions League football and under the pressure of Profit and Sustainability Rules, they may be forced to sell key assets to fund new signings. Watkins could be sacrificed to balance the books.
Last season, he scored 17 goals and provided 14 assists, even after briefly losing his starting spot to Jhon Durán. His versatility, movement, and ability to link play make him a ready-made upgrade for Arsenal’s forward line.
Benjamin Sesko remains an option, but the RB Leipzig striker could command a fee close to Gyokeres’—a risky outlay for potential rather than certainty. Watkins offers both immediate impact and experience in England’s top flight.
Arsenal’s need is urgent. A reliable goalscorer could be the final piece in their pursuit of the Premier League crown.
Watkins fits the bill, and the door to a summer switch is open.