Arsenal could sign Ollie Watkins and another striker after source reveal – expert
Kevin Campbell would welcome Arsenal signing Ollie Watkins from Aston Villa this summer.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the former Highbury favourite heaped praise on the 26-year-old who “fits the criteria” for Mikel Arteta.
The Gunners will enter the market to sign at least one striker this summer with Alexandre Lacazette and Eddie Nketiah expected to leave at the end of their contracts.
A Villa source told Football Insider (4 March) that Steven Gerrard could be open to Watkins’ departure this summer.
Gerrard likes the ex-Brentford man but accepts that the club could cash in on him and sign a better striker given their ambitions.
Watkins, who moved to Villa Park in a £33million deal in 2020, is under contract until June 2025.
When asked for his assessment of Watkins’ credentials, Campbell told Football Insider‘s Dylan Childs: “I really like Ollie Watkins.
“I liked him at Brentford and he’s only got better at Villa. He’s developing nicely as far as I am concerned.
“Listen, he scored a great goal at the weekend and looked the part in that Villa side.
“I think Arsenal need two strikers, if I’m honest with you. Watkins might be a good one.
“He puts himself about, can hold it up and loves to score goals. That fits the criteria for Arsenal right now. He is young as well. Why not? I can see that one happening.
“He can’t be the only one though. We need two because [Pierre-Emerick] Aubameyang has gone and Lacazette and Nketiah are leaving.”
In other news, a pundit has hailed Mikel Arteta a ‘genius’ after Arsenal footage emerges.