Ollie Watkins has already named his dream transfer destination (Image: Getty)
has already revealed that would be his ‘dream’ transfer destination. The Gunners are reported to have in the final week of the January window.
Watkins is a boyhood fan who has worked his way up the EFL and into the . He has been in tremendous form for Villa over the past year, scoring 27 goals last season and 10 this term.
Back in 2020, the then-Brentford star admitted that playing for one day was a very distant prospect. But he still had his eyes on one day turning out for the Gunners.
“That’s the dream, to play for one day. But, you know, it’s a long shot,” he told at the 2020 London Football Awards.
Watkins has also previously opened up on icon Thierry Henry being his boyhood hero. He said: “I’m an fan so Thierry Henry was my [idol] he’s unbelievable to watch. He was the idol growing up really.”
According to the , Villa have turned down an initial approach from for the 29-year-old. The north Londoners are reportedly expected to make an improved offer.
Watkins is viewed by club chiefs at the Emirates Stadium as a player who can reignite their title challenge. trail by six points and the Reds have a game in hand.
The Villa player has already had a say in ’s last two title charges. Last season, he scored in a surprise 2-1 win for the visitors in a defeat that put a major dent in the Gunners’ hopes of beating to the trophy.
Arsenal have reportedly had an initial Ollie Watkins transfer bid rejected by Aston Villa (Image: Getty)
Earlier this month, Watkins struck the equaliser in a 2-2 draw, in which Villa had come back from 2-0 down. would only be four points behind had they held on to their victory.
are keen to sign a new centre-forward. has often looked more comfortable in an advanced midfield position. Gabriel Jesus has struggled for form and is also set to miss a lengthy period with an ACL injury.
“We have to do what is right for the club,” said last week of his striker search. “It is an option, but it doesn’t depend just on – or Mikel – or our will. It depends on the market, and many other factors.
“You have certain resources, the ability to recruit certain players, develop certain players, use certain players from the Academy. It’s a balance of what we can do.”