The story of last summer’s transfer window was Arsenal’s search for a new striker.
Mikel Arteta’s side spent a long time looking for a new number nine as the likes of Benjamin Sesko, Alexander Isak and Ivan Toney were all linked over a period of around 18 months.
In the end, Viktor Gyokeres was signed, but it’s easy to forget that six months prior, Arsenal bid for Ollie Watkins.
Watkins was Arsenal’s original striker target, and while that deal never happened, there was clearly interest there.
Now, there is a case to make that Arsenal should revisit Watkins.
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Ollie Watkins didn’t join Arsenal in January 2025, but he’s remained a top striker since that £40m bid went in.
Watkins, again, hit 20 goals for Aston Villa last season, including 16 in the Premier League – more than Viktor Gyokeres.
Now, it’s being reported by Sabah in Turkey that Watkins could leave Villa for Fenerbache for just €35m (£30m).
At that price, Arsenal have to get involved.
Watkins has made it clear that he would love to play for Arsenal in the past, and, with all due respect, Viktor Gyokeres didn’t have the best debut season.
Yes, Gyokeres scored plenty of goals, but many of those were penalties or tap-ins against lesser opposition.
Watkins is a player who has proven he can step up against top opposition, and at £30m, even as a rotation option, he’d provide value.
Gabriel Jesus is set to leave, so Arsenal do need more depth up front, and as a boyhood fan, Watkins would relish a move to Arsenal.
Of course, it’s not necessarily the most economical move to spend £30m on a 30-year-old, but if Mikel Arteta wants to continue to embrace that ‘win now’ mentality next season, this would be a smart move.
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