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Signing Watkins could be a smart move for manager Mikel Arteta and sporting director Andrea Berta. |
During the January transfer window, Arsenal targeted Watkins after Aston Villa needed to sell players to balance their finances. However, the Gunners' board of directors suddenly withdrew from the deal.
Former player Martin Keown once revealed that coach Mikel Arteta refused to sign Ollie Watkins in the mid-season transfer window: "As far as I know, the choice not to buy a striker was Arteta's. Aston Villa offered Arsenal Ollie Watkins in January, but in the end the head coach did not accept."
Ollie Watkins himself also wants to leave Aston Villa. The 29-year-old striker is very disappointed with the lack of playing opportunities in the second half of the season, when coach Emery trusts Marcus Rashford or Asensio. Record revealed that after considering financial factors, Arsenal prioritized closing the deal for Watkins instead of Gyokeres.
Sporting Lisbon are making it difficult for clubs to sign Gyokeres, valuing the Swedish star at £68m - a figure that is beyond the Gunners' budget. RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko could also cost Arsenal more than £80m.
Watkins, meanwhile, could leave Villa for less than £40m. For his part, the England striker has always wanted to move to Arsenal. The striker has been a fan of the Gunners since childhood. He also lived in London for many years before joining Villa.
Source: https://znews.vn/arsenal-khoi-dong-lai-thuong-vu-watkins-post1561157.html
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