‘It’s a farce’ – Paul Merson makes bold claim about Arsenal’s transfer move for Ollie Watkins

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Arsenal’s pursuit of a striker is reaching boiling point, and Paul Merson has subsequently hit out at the club’s move for Ollie Watkins.

With Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus sidelined with serious injuries for extended periods, the Gunners are in need of at least one forward addition in what remains of the transfer window.

Mathues Cunha is a target for Arsenal, while Benjamin Sesko is also a player of interest to Mikel Arteta.

However, a new name has emerged into the spotlight in recent days, giving the Arsenal faithful hope that an acquisition will ultimately materialise.

Paul Merson slams Arsenal’s bid for Ollie Watkins

Heat on Arsenal to sign a striker is growing, although reports emerged on Wednesday that suggest that the club are trying to enact a deal.

Arsenal launched a bid for Ollie Watkins before they took on Girona in the Champions League, with the proposal understood to be have been immediately rejected by Aston Villa.

The Gunners are expected to return with an improved offer for the number nine, although former player and now pundit Merson doesn’t buy the North Londoners’ pursuit of the England international.

Writing for Sportskeeda, Merson said: “I personally think Arsenal’s bid for Ollie Watkins was just a farce!

“They knew they aren’t getting him for that money and they just put in the offer to show the fans they’re trying.”

Arsenal’s bid was reportedly in the region of £40 million, potentially giving credence to Merson’s theory.

Villa were never going to sanction the departure of their first choice striker for an offer this low, although it’s also possible that Arsenal were just testing the waters before making more substantiated offers.

Despite his scepticism, Merson did laud Watkins and acknowledge that he’d be an astute signing for his former club.

“Watkins would be an outstanding signing for Arsenal though,” he said.

“He ticks all the boxes. Don’t worry about him being 29, it’s the here and now that matters the most.”

“If Arsenal get Watkins, they can win the league this year or maybe in the next. So they shouldn’t be worried about where he will be in four years’ time.”

• READ MORE: Four winners and losers from Ollie Watkins’ potential Arsenal transfer including possible exit and a man reborn

Ollie Watkins’ statistics this season vs last season

Merson’s comment on Watkins’ age certainly elicits a conversation regarding the player and his durability over the next few seasons.

Players tend to start to decline once they turn 30, although there are obviously exceptions and the former Brentford striker could be one, given he broke on to the top level late in his career.

A good indicator of whether a decline is materialising, or is set to, is a player’s underlying metrics.

While Watkins’ creative numbers have experienced a slight decline this season, he’s taking more shots and accumulating more expected goals per 90 minutes.

This certainly doesn’t point to a decline at this stage of his career, rather suggesting that he’s still in his prime and capable of producing exceptional output.

While investing as much as £60 million on a 29-year-old is certainly a risk, it could well be one worth taking for Arsenal.