Arsenal are reportedly prepared to re-enter the race for Aston Villa forward Ollie Watkins this summer.
The Gunners are out of the Premier League title race but could still lift European silverware this term, despite losing 1-0 to Paris Saint-Germain during their Champions League semi-final first leg.
While Arsenal battle to win the biggest prize in European club football, Watkins and Villa are fighting to book a spot in the competition next season.
Watkins had his best-ever top-flight campaign during the 2023-24 term, scoring 19 goals and providing 13 assists across 37 league matches.
The 24-year-old's influence remains stark in the Second City this season, with the England international making the net ripple on 16 occasions across all competitions.
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Arsenal to reignite Watkins interest?
According to Football Insider, Aston Villa star Watkins could be departing Villa at the conclusion of a hectic 2024-25 term.
The report states that the Villans striker is attracting the attention of Champions League-contending Arsenal, who could bring the player to the Emirates.
Mikel Arteta's troops were supposedly hot on the trail of Watkins during the January transfer window, submitting a bid worth £50m for the talent.
Unai Emery's men were quick by reject the advances of the Gunners, though, given the Englishman's importance to goalscoring proceedings at Villa Park.
As well as Arsenal, it is understood that Premier League winners Liverpool have shortlisted Watkins as a potential signing, providing an alternative to Newcastle United man Alexander Isak.
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Frustration for Watkins
During the first half of the 2024-25 campaign, Watkins was the main man in the Aston Villa attack, starting the majority of games in the Premier League and Champions League.
However, the mid-season arrivals of Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio altered the dynamic in the Second City, meaning that minutes were harder to come by.
Watkins has openly discussed his frustration at being left out of Villa's starting XIs for both Champions League battles with PSG recently.
Carter White
