‘We understand’; Mikel Arteta may push for Arsenal to sign £60m Premier League player this summer – journalist

Arsenal failed to sign a striker in January, and that has immediately come back to bite them as Kai Havertz is now out for the season.

Arsenal do have a few strikers on their radar.

The bid for Watkins was thought to be worth £60m.

Arsenal’s bid for Ollie Watkins was ultimately unsuccessful, but we may not have heard the last of this story.

According to James McNicholas, speaking on The Athletic FC Podcast, Arsenal may go back for Watkins this summer as Mikel Arteta is a big fan of the player.

Arsenal could go back for Ollie Watkins

McNicholas shared what he knows about Arsenal and Watkins.

According to the journalist, Arsenal’s interest in Watkins isn’t over and the Gunners could be back in for the striker at some point in the near future.

“I think Watkins, he is a real known quantity, and I think there was kind of good and bad to that in the eyes of Arsenal fans. Certainly now, Arsenal fans would snap your hand off Ollie Watkins, and I think Mikel Arteta, from everything we understand, that is how he felt too,” McNicholas said.

“Because as manager, his interest is winning now, is lifting trophies this season and next season, and I think he believed very firmly that Ollie Watkins is someone who could help him do that.

“And for that reason, I don’t think Arsenal’s interest in Ollie Watkins could be described as over. I think even though there will be other options in the market and maybe options that make more economic sense or represent better long-term investments. It wouldn’t surprise me if Arteta is still banging a drum for Ollie Watkins, because he knows what he’s getting.

“And you look at the signings he’s made, Declan Rice, Leandro Trossard, Ben White. He loves Premier League proven, experienced players who can come in and hit the ground running. And so for that reason, I wouldn’t discount Watkins and Arsenal coming back around again in some form in the summer”

Ollie Watkins compared to other Arsenal striker options

Arsenal could be back in for Watkins in the summer, but he’s not the only centre-forward Arsenal are keen on.

Indeed, Benjamin Sesko is on Arsenal’s radar too, while Alexander Isak is Arsenal’s dream target.

All three of these players are quality options, but one stands out above the rest when you compare the stats.

League stats this season

Alexander Isak is seemingly Arsenal’s best bet, he’s scoring more than the others, he’s got plenty of time on his side and he’s Premier League proven.

Unfortunately, getting Isak isn’t necessarily realistic this summer.

Indeed, Isak has been valued at £200m by some, and it’s unlikely that Arsenal will be able to spend that much on one player in the next transfer window.

Watkins may be a more affordable option, and Arsenal could reignite their interest in the Aston Villa star this summer.