Arsenal
Aston Villa
Chelsea
Crystal Palace
Everton
Fulham
Leeds United
Liverpool
Manchester City
Manchester United
Newcastle United
Nottingham Forest
Southampton
Tottenham Hotspur
West Ham United
Wolverhampton Wanderers
News
Paul Merson has an interesting theory about Arsenal’s bid for Ollie Watkins which fans will not like
Arsenal have had a bid rejected by Aston Villa for Ollie Watkins.
The Gunners have been in need of a new striker all window. They are really short up front after Gabriel Jesus’ injury, and many feel that their title dreams will be crushed if they don’t bring in a prolific centre-forward.
Watkins would be a great option for Arsenal. The Englishman’s numbers over the last few years have been fantastic, he is proven in the Premier League and would offer Mikel Arteta’s side something that they don’t have.
However, a move in this window is really difficult, which is why Paul Merson has doubted Arsenal’s true intentions behind their bid.
Paul Merson’s theory about Arsenal’s move for Ollie Watkins
Arsenal’s need for a new striker has been evident for over two years now.
The Gunners are yet to replace Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang with a prolific centre-forward. Arteta has eyed moves for some big names, but deals just haven’t materialised.
Arsenal’s bid for Watkins excited a few supporters, but many were left wondering why the offer wasn’t made much earlier in the window.
Merson thinks he knows the real reason.
The pundit has claimed that Arsenal knew very well that their bid for Watkins would be rejected but still made the offer just to show their fans that they are trying to get someone in.
Merson wrote on : “I personally think Arsenal’s bid for Ollie Watkins was just a farce! They knew they aren’t getting him for that money and they just put in the offer to show the fans they’re trying.”
Despite his theory, Merson thinks Watlins fits the bill for Arsenal even though he is already 29 years old.
“Watkins would be an outstanding signing for Arsenal though,” he said.
“He ticks all the boxes. Don’t worry about him being 29, it’s the here and now that matters the most. If Arsenal get Watkins, they can win the league this year or maybe in the next. So they shouldn’t be worried about where he will be in four years’ time.”
The latest on Ollie Watkins’ future after Arsenal’s bid
Aston Villa rejected Arsenal’s opening offer for Watkins immediately.
The Villans have no interest in letting their star striker leave, and that stance has now become even stronger following Jhon Duran’s move to Al Nassr.
In his press conference on Friday, beyond the end of this transfer window.
Unless there’s a spectacular turn of events in the final three days of the window, Arsenal will not sign Watkins.
Arteta will have to find a new striker elsewhere.