Shay Given suggests Ollie Watkins’ agent is sending Arsenal secret message

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Former Newcastle United goalkeeper Shay Given has suggested that Ollie Watkins’ agent is trying to send a secret message to Arsenal.

Arsenal have recently been credited with an interest in signing Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins in the upcoming January transfer window, as reported by Football Transfers.

Arsenal sporting director Edu is already said to have held talks with the 27-year-old’s agent. 

Watkins is currently in electric form. The £75,000-a-week forward has netted seven goals across all competitions so far this season, and bagged a hat-trick against Brighton in the Premier League last time out. 

If Watkins maintains his current prolific rate of scoring, there will surely soon be plenty of suitors for his signature. Aston Villa are already working to tie the seven-cap England international down to a new contract, as per TalkSport.

Watkins working to prove elite level credentials

With Watkins’ future currently up in the air, Shay Given has suggested that the player’s agent may well be trying to cook up some interest from Arsenal.

Speaking to Premier League Productions (01/10/23, 18:20), he said, “he has gone under the radar, but maybe because he plays for Aston Villa…Maybe he is talking about a new contact, at the minute.”

“When you look at other clubs in the Premier League like Arsenal, Chelsea or even Man United. Someone of his calibre. I wonder if his agent is sort of secretly saying ‘he is of that level. He can grab goals’…He is a brilliant striker.”

Arsenal could certainly do with an elite level striker. Gabriel Jesus is brilliantly talented, and Eddie Nketiah works incredibly hard, but neither can be relied upon to fire the Gunners to a Premier League title.

According to Football Transfers, Arsenal want to sign Victor Osimhen next summer. Meanwhile, The Mirror have reported that the north London club are lining up a January move for Ivan Toney. These links suggest that Mikel Arteta is keen to add a top level goalscorer to his ranks. 

Whether Watkins is of that quality is a matter for debate. He is certainly enjoying a purple patch at the moment, but his ability to remain consistent in the coming months will surely dictate the level of interest in him in January.