Arsenal have urged to submit a £100million bid to try and sign Aston Vila striker Ollie Watkins.
Reports emerged on Wednesday afternoon claiming that the Gunners had launched a £60million bid to sign the England international. It has been mentioned in those reports, though, that Villa had rejected the offer from Arsenal, with suggestions the club were unhappy about the timing of the bid just hours before a Champions League clash against Celtic.
Watkins went on to score for Villa in a 4-2 win at Villa Park, just hours after rumours emerged claiming he was the subject of a bid from Arsenal. The Gunners have been linked with several strikers as potential targets for the last few weeks and have until Monday to complete their transfer business for the window.
Premier League pundit and former Villa striker Andy Gray has weighed in on the reports that Arsenal have shown an interest in signing Watkins. Gray has explained why he believes the Gunners should submit a bid to try and “tempt” Villa into doing business before the window closes.
“I think the timing [£60m bid] is poor,” said Gray on beIN SPORTS. “Is it going to get done in the next couple of days?
“There’s talk of a massive bid from Saudi [Arabia] for Jhon Duran so there’s uncertainty in that area of the pitch for Unai Emery. I would be amazed if Aston Villa decided, for any money, to part ways with Ollie Watkins. I would be amazed.
“Arsenal are his [Watkins] boyhood club so it’s always your dream to play for them, especially when they are as good as they are. I actually think he would be a good fit for Arsenal, I really do.
“But I would not like to see him leave Aston Villa right now, especially with the uncertainty around Duran. I would be amazed if they sold him for any money in this window, I cannot see them letting him go.”
“Arsenal are panicking with a few days to go, throw £100m on the table and see if that tempts them,” Gray concluded.
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