EXCLUSIVE: Arsenal to launch fresh Watkins bid in thrilling strike force overhaul

Steve Kay

24 Feb 2025 13:00 CST
4 min read

Ollie Watkins, Aston Villa, Arsenal, 2024/25 — © IMAGO

Arsenal aim to form the most fearsome forward in the Premier league by launching a new bid for Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins in addition to signing another high-class centre-forward, FootballTransfers can reveal.

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According to sources with close ties to the club, the Gunners’ January pursuit of Watkins - where they verbally offered Aston Villa €50 million (£40m) - was never meant to derail their primary summer objective: signing RB Leipzig star Benjamin Sesko.

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STATS

Ollie Watkins

F (C)

Aston Villa

Ollie Watkins

F (C)

Aston Villa

27

Games
12

Goals
5

Assists

Instead, Arsenal are plotting a major revamp of their forward line, with Watkins identified as a key second addition to the forward line.

Manager Mikel Arteta, meanwhile, plans to use Kai Havertz in a deeper role while also using the German to cover various forward positions due to his versatility.

Watkins, a lifelong Arsenal supporter, has previously expressed his desire to don the famous red and white jersey. In a 2020 interview, he stated: "That's the dream, to play for Arsenal!" - a sentiment that still holds true today.

Despite Villa’s reluctance to part with their star forward in January, sources indicate that Watkins remains open to the move, aligning with his childhood admiration for the club.

Injuries bring striker deals into focus

The urgency for attacking reinforcements has been further amplified by Arsenal’s deepening injury crisis.

Gabriel Jesus suffered a devastating anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture during an FA Cup clash against Manchester United in January 2025, ruling him out for the remainder of the season and likely until early 2026. This major setback, combined with other injuries to key forwards, including Havertz and Bukayo Saka, has left Arteta with limited firepower up front.

Arsenal’s intention is clear: they want two new strikers to reinforce their attack.

Sesko remains the top priority, but Watkins has emerged as the ideal second piece of the puzzle. His proven Premier League experience, pressing ability and versatility make him a strong fit for Arteta’s system.

Although Aston Villa rebuffed Arsenal’s January approach, the North London club are expected to return with a more aggressive pursuit in the summer.

Watkins commands an Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) of €65.8m but after Unai Emery's side sold Jhon Duran in January to Al-Nassr for €77m, it is likely they will demand a significantly higher price.

Whether Villa will be open to negotiations remains to be seen, but with Arsenal’s ambition to assemble a powerhouse strike force, Watkins could soon find himself fulfilling his lifelong dream at the Emirates Stadium.