Arsenal’s transfer pursuit of Ollie Watkins depends on one thing that Mikel Arteta and Andrea Berta cannot control

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Arsenal are still monitoring Ollie Watkins, but a move for the striker is dependent on Aston Villa significantly lowering their asking price for the player, Arsenal Insider understands.

Watkins enjoyed another productive campaign for the West Midlands club, netting 17 goals and registering 14 assists across all competitions.

However, Unai Emery sidelined the England international frequently in the second half of the campaign as the Spaniard incorporated Marcus Rashford, prompting rumours of discontent.

Arsenal tried to sign Watkins in January, but ultimately opted against going through with the deal due to Villa’s excessive demands.

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Arsenal only likely to sign Ollie Watkins if Aston Villa lower the asking price

With Gabriel Jesus ruled out for the season, Arsenal decided to make a late move for Watkins in the winter transfer window.

Villa asked the Gunners for £60 million for the striker, with Emery not keen on losing his primary goalscorer as he eyed a Champions League place.

Arsenal were unwilling to meet this valuation of Watkins and ended up not adding a striker to their ranks, which subsequently cost them after Kai Havertz sustained a serious hamstring injury.

Now, however, while Watkins isn’t at the top of the North Londoners’ list, he remains an option that Mikel Arteta and Andrea Berta could explore.

That said, transfer expert Graeme Bailey told Arsenal Insider that a possible deal for the 29-year-old is dependent on Villa’s willingness to lower their asking price.

“He’s on the list,” he said.

“He’s not a top target or anything, but do I see Villa letting him go on a bargain fee? I don’t at all really. I just don’t understand the Watkins deal. Why would he swap starting most games to be on the bench at Arsenal?

“That’s what I think he’d be, as Arteta loves Havertz. If he’s desperate for the move, then maybe, but I don’t see Arsenal paying his asking price at the minute either. Let’s see if Villa are willing to lower that price, and I think it’ll be dependent on that more than anything, but I’d be surprised.”

Arsenal should sign Ollie Watkins if the price drops below £40 million

Viktor Gyokeres and Benjamin Sesko are Arsenal’s top striker targets, and while both have quality, neither are a guaranteed success.

The former is untested in a challenging league, while the latter is inexperienced and is yet to demonstrate that he can score goals at a prolific rate.

Thus, Watkins, a proven Premier League goalscorer, is an appealing option for the Gunners, who are looking to win now, not in two or three years.

The Englishman has netted 50 English top-flight goals across the last three seasons, and his well-balanced set of attributes would suit Arteta’s system nicely.

However, given he turns 30 later this year, he’s only likely to continue to produce at his best rate for another couple of seasons, which should be reflected in his potential price tag.

If the fee drops below £40 million, Arsenal ought to pounce and sign Watkins.

With Villa stretched financially and perhaps not against the idea of rebuilding their forward line, they may be willing to sanction the player’s departure at this price.