Martin Keown sends warning to Arsenal over Ollie Watkins transfer

Martin Keown has warned Arsenal they person small to nary accidental of signing England striker Ollie Watkins from Aston Villa.

Arsenal person made a stunning determination for Watkins successful the last week of the January transportation window, offering Villa £60m for the Premier League star.

Aston Villa rejected the bid but Arsenal are expected to instrumentality with an improved connection arsenic they desperately look to bolster Mikel Arteta’s attacking options earlier the transportation model shuts.

Arsenal fable Keown would beryllium delighted if Watkins moved to the Emirates Stadium but cannot spot Villa sanctioning his departure, particularly midway done the season.

Watkins has been 1 of the astir accordant goalscorers successful the Premier League implicit the past 3 seasons, scoring 80 goals successful 200 appearances for Villa.

The 29-year-old has earned 18 caps for England and scored successful the Euro 2024 semi-final to nonstop Gareth Southgate’s broadside into the final.

‘They’ve been linked with Ollie Watkins,’ Keown said connected TNT Sports earlier Arsenal’s Champions League clash against Girona connected Wednesday night.

‘It’s an absorbing 1 due to the fact that he’s a decent player. I would privation him. I don’t deliberation Villa volition judge the deal.

‘They’ve got 2 precise bully strikers determination haven’t they truthful yet 1 whitethorn determination on. Or possibly they’ll some stay, I don’t know.

‘But Arsenal are decidedly pushing successful the past fewer days of the transportation model and they request to strike.’

Watkins scored 19 goals successful the Premier League past play and 27 successful each competitions to help Aston Villa suffice for the Champions League.

Arsenal are looking to motion a caller striker aft losing Gabriel Jesus to a season-ending wounded earlier successful the month.

Current Arsenal No. 9 Kai Havertz has blown blistery and acold since his £65m determination from Chelsea successful 2023.

Arsenal person besides been linked with Benjamin Sesko, Dusan Vlahovic and Victor Osimhen but look to person made Watkins their first-choice target.

Gunners fable Nigel Winterburn precocious insisted helium ‘would take’ immoderate of Sesko, Vlahovic oregon Osimhen arsenic his erstwhile nine purpose to drawback Premier League leaders Liverpool successful the second-half of the season.

‘The Gunners request a striker to instrumentality them to the adjacent level, and that is to triumph the Premier League,’ helium said recently.

‘I would instrumentality immoderate of those strikers – it doesn’t substance which one. What matters is who scores the astir goals for this squad and is the champion fit.

‘Each enactment comes with its ain attributes, but the precedence is uncovering the 1 who tin present goals consistently to occurrence Arsenal to the title. Addressing this contented successful the squad could thrust Arsenal to a league title.’

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