Arsenal is reportedly in talks with the agency of Aston Villa and England forward Ollie Watkins ahead of the January transfer season.
According to reports, Arsenal intends to recruit a new striker during the upcoming winter transfer window.
Arsenal sold Folarin Balogun over the summer, but they still have Gabriel Jesus, Eddie Nketiah, and Kai Havertz up front.
However, the Gunners are certainly lacking in a clinical forward. It has recently been suggested that they will be in the running to recruit Brentford’s Ivan Toney, who is anticipated to be sold for roughly £60 million in January.
Toney scored 20 goals in 33 Premier League games last season, however he is presently suspended for violating the Football Association’s betting restrictions.
The forward has lately resumed training, but he will not be eligible to play for Brentford (or anybody else) until the beginning of January.
Chelsea and Tottenham could potentially be interested in signing Toney, who may have played his final game for the Bees.
Watkins will also be on the radar of rival Premier League clubs as he continues to impress for Aston Villa under Unai Emery. The 27-year-old scored 15 goals last season and has three goals in six games this season.
According to Football Transfers, “Arsenal director Edu has engaged in discussions with agent Paulo Vernazza over a possible move for Watkins.”
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Vernazza, a former Arsenal player, is looking to see ‘whether a deal can be done,’ but Chelsea are ‘also interested’ in signing Watkins. The report continues.
‘Both Mikel Arteta and Watkins have publicly recognised in the media their mutual admiration for each other, with the player even claiming to be an Arsenal supporter.
‘Sources close to the situation indicate that signing Watkins in the January transfer window could be difficult, but not impossible, given that his present club has been seeking to negotiate a new contract with their top player for over a year. Watkins is said to be looking for a five-year contract with a weekly salary of more than £150,000.
‘Arsenal, like Chelsea, are fans of Ivan Toney, but there is a belief that the club would like to sign a game-ready Watkins.’
A source ‘close’ to Arsenal also stated why Arteta would ‘prefer’ Watkins over Toney: “There are doubts within the club that Ivan Toney would fit into the Arsenal way.” Arteta often prefers players who have a disciplined and tidy image. Arteta has had problems with Toney in the past and is concerned about his current condition.
“Of course, examples like Mesut Ozil and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang come to mind, who were quickly moved on due to attitude issues.” Furthermore, Arteta is concerned about the possibility of investing £60 million for a player in the middle of the season who may not be match-fit. It may all come down to Watkins’ contract discussions in the end.”
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