Arsenal target Watkins tipped for 'big' summer move

FT Desk

• 20 Mar 2024 18:50 GMT
• 2 min read

Aston Villa star Ollie Watkins has been backed to make a "big move", with Arsenal keeping close tabs on the striker.

Watkins, 28, has established himself as one of the Premier League's most lethal finishers over the past two seasons.

Having netted 15 times in the league last term, he has already surpassed that mark this time round with nine games still to play and with 16 goals trails top scorer Erling Haaland by just two.

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That goalscoring form has pushed Aston Villa into Champion League contention as well as propelling Watkins into the equation for England's Euro 2024 campaign.

It has also made him a target for the Premier League's giants, with both Arsenal and Manchester United reportedly showing interest.

Roy Keane is among the pundits who believe a transfer is on the cards.

And according to a former Villa figure, his current club will have to carefully weigh their own necessities with the need to allow Watkins to fully exploit his potential at an elite side.

'Looking for a big move'

“He’s at a stage of his career where he’s going to be looking for a big move, there’ll be big clubs out there monitoring his situation, of course there will, but that’s all ifs and buts," ex-Villa defender Alan Hutton told Villa News.

“I mean we can only look at what he’s doing at this moment in time and he’s been incredible. I think Villa are going in the right direction for him and what he wants.

“He probably wants to play Champions League football and things like that, so he’s in a good place I think at this moment in time.

“It really depends on what the offer would be and the team it is. We’re only speculating at this moment in time, it’s difficult to put figures on it. He’s having an outstanding season.”