Edu is now in discussions to bring ‘outstanding’ player to Arsenal in January

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Arsenal technical director Edu Gaspar is now reportedly in discussions over the signing of Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins.

That’s according to Football Transfers, who have claimed that Edu is speaking to agent Paulo Vernazza over a January move for the 27-year-old.

There has been much debate about Arsenal’s striker position in the last few days, and Brentford forward Ivan Toney has been linked, but these links to Watkins have now suddenly emerged, but nothing concrete has taken place yet.

Watkins has been negotiating a new contract at Villa Park, with the England international seeking a five-year deal at over £150k-per-week, and he is being viewed as a potential alternative target to Toney.

Arsenal already have Gabriel Jesus, Eddie Nketiah and Kai Havertz as striker options, but the report claims that Mikel Arteta wants to add another goalscorer to his squad, as Arsenal have scored 11 times in the opening six games of the season.

Arsenal do not need Watkins

Going from Nketiah to Watkins is a sideways step, and the Aston Villa forward does not raise the level of the squad beyond what Jesus offers.

Although he was previously described as “outstanding” by former manager Dean Smith, Watkins has struggled in front of goal this season, with just one strike in six league games, and given that he could cost a sizable fee, there is simply no need for Arsenal to sign him in the winter window.

If Arsenal are to eventually sign a centre-forward, they should perhaps wait until an opportunity arises to sign either a world-class option or a top prospect, with Jesus and Nketiah suitable to lead the line until that point.

Rushing to bring in Watkins, who also may not suit a more possession-based style at Arsenal than playing under Unai Emery at Villa, would therefore be a waste of resources which could be spent elsewhere, and there would be little immediate or long-term benefit to the rest of the squad.