Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins has long-been linked with a move to Arsenal as Edu continues to bolster the side's attacking options. Once again said to be on the Gunners' list of summer transfer targets at the end of this season, speculation over a possible move to north London has resurfaced.
This comes as the 27-year-old, who was a boyhood Arsenal fan, is enjoying arguably his finest form of his Premier League career. His performances have gone up another notch since Unai Emery's arrival at Villa Park, with the forward having recorded 10 goal contributions in 13 appearances under the Spaniard.
His last eight Villa starts have also brought about six goals, a run which has helped the Birmingham-outfit to just four points off a European spot. He has become one of Emery's most important players, and the former Arsenal boss will be hopeful of tying his star striker down to a new contract to deter the Gunners from making a fresh summer move.
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BirminghamLive club correspondent, Ashley Preece, said of Watkins on the Claret & Blue podcast: "He needs a new contact, for me. I think he has deserved one.
"I asked Unai Emery about that about a week ago and he said that they haven’t spoken about that yet given that Villa have recently handed one to Tyrone Mings. He had 18 months left on his and Ollie has two years, so there’s no rush whatsoever there.
"The challenge is for him to continue that upturn in form and if he does, he needs a bumper new pay rise, a new contract, and we go into next season firing on all cylinders.
"The contract talks should be happening now in the background given his form and he totally deserves one. He’s one of the only players who hasn’t signed a new one. He signed a deal in 2020 and he has two years left now so I think he will be next one to commit and I’d be all of that.
"A few weeks ago there was talk of Arsenal coming in for him. You start to worry then a little bit don’t you, given he was an Arsenal fan as a boy. That’s what new contracts do, fend off the opposition and commit your long-term future."
According to ESPN, head coach Mikel Arteta is a huge fan of Watkins, with the Spaniard reportedly impressed by the Villa star's versatility to play across the frontline. Given his association with the club growing up, it's no surprise the striker is being linked with a move to the Gunners. Speaking to Sports Gazette during the 2020 London Football Awards, Watkins admitted: “That’s the dream, to play for Arsenal one day."
The Gunners continue to be in the market for a striker after Gabriel Jesus' post-World Cup injury left Arteta short up top, although Eddie Nketiah deputised impressively with a number of crucial contributions. While they will welcome back Folarin Balogun from his prolific loan spell at Reims this summer, it has been reported that Arsenal could look to shift the promising youngster to fund the arrival of another forward instead.
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