May 3rd 2025.
It's no secret that Ollie Watkins has been on Arsenal's radar since the January transfer window. And according to Rio Ferdinand, the Aston Villa striker "deserves" a move to the Gunners this summer.
It's no surprise that Mikel Arteta's side is in the market for a new striker, with names like Viktor Gyokeres and Benjamin Sesko on their shortlist. In fact, they even made a £40 million bid for Watkins during the winter transfer window. However, Villa rejected their approach and went on to sell Jhon Duran to Al-Nassr for a whopping £65 million.
But Watkins himself has raised doubts over his future with Villa. In a recent interview, he admitted to being "fuming" with former manager Unai Emery for starting him on the bench in both legs of Villa's Champions League quarter-final against Paris Saint-Germain. This has sparked rumors that Arsenal may reignite their interest in the 29-year-old this summer.
And according to Ferdinand, Watkins would be a great addition to Arteta's team. He believes the Englishman has become a cult hero at Villa and has played a major role in their success, particularly in securing a spot in the Champions League. As a defender, Ferdinand knows firsthand how difficult it is to face someone like Watkins on the pitch. He also commends the striker for his unconventional journey to the top, without going through the traditional academy system.
Ferdinand's not surprised that Arsenal came knocking for Watkins, given his impressive performances and output on the field. The striker has truly earned everything he's achieved so far, and he deserves all the opportunities that come his way. As for Arsenal, they may just have to wait and see if they can land their target this summer.
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