Time is running out—and Arsenal know it. With Gabriel Jesus ruled out for the season and Kai Havertz lacking consistency, Mikel Arteta’s men are one striker short of serious firepower. They want Ollie Watkins. But Aston Villa won’t budge.
A £40 million bid? Rejected. Even with Jhon Durán reportedly heading to Al-Nassr, Villa are drawing a hard line. Watkins isn’t leaving. Not now.
Arsenal believe £60 million might sway the Midlands club—but the window is narrowing fast according to Dailymail reports.
And so the Gunners pivot. Eyes shift to Munich. To 19-year-old Mathys Tel. A player with fire in his boots and something Watkins can’t offer—potential untouched.
Arsenal have monitored him for months. He’s fast. Two-footed. Direct. Everything modern defences hate.
Tel hasn’t started many games at Bayern. But when he does appear, he threatens. He scores. He dazzles. Last season, he became Bayern’s youngest scorer in Bundesliga history, aged just 17 years and 136 days.
Tottenham reportedly have a verbal agreement to sign him for £50 million according to Sky Germany via Football London.
But Tel wants more than money. He wants minutes. Arsenal, with their clear pathway for young stars—from Saka to Saliba—can offer that. Spurs can’t.
A move to North London might also suit Tel’s dream. Arsenal fight for Europe. Tottenham teeter on the edge. One side offers purpose. The other, uncertainty.
The price may climb. Arsenal will have to act quickly. But in a race against time, they may just find their answer not in Birmingham—but in Bavaria.
This isn’t a deal just for now. It’s for what comes after.