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Arsenal have trump card to beat Man Utd in £40m Ollie Watkins transfer race
Jul 25 2026 22:48 · By Nathan Ridley,Senior Sports Reporter · 6 Reads
Arsenal can pull on Ollie Watkins' heartstrings in order to beat Manchester United in the battle to sign him. Waktins, 30, has emerged as a target for both Premier League giants as the summer transfer window hots up.
The striker has been away representing England at the World Cup but is shifting his focus back to club football now that the tournament has finished. Aston Villa fended off interest from United last summer, while Arsenal saw a £60million bid rejected in January 2025.
Now, a report has claimed that Watkins could be available for £40m, with Turkish heavyweights Fenerbahce also keen to sign him. It's added that Villa are already lining up a replacement: Chelsea's Nicolas Jackson, who spent last season on loan at Bayern Munich.
Arsenal are looking to bring in a striker, with Julian Alvarez understood to be their top target. But Watkins represents another Premier League-proven option - and he's shown willingness to join the Gunners before.
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"Yeah, that's the dream, to play for Arsenal one day," Watkins said in 2020 when he was playing for Brentford. "But, you know, it's a long shot."
Then after joining Villa, Watkins scored in his first game against Arsenal. "I'm not sure my grandad or uncle Baz are going to be too happy," he told Sky Sports post-match.
"They are Arsenal fans and I am an Arsenal fan myself - but I'm buzzing. I am sure they will love it really. I am over the moon."
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Watkins has been rather prolific against the Gunners, scoring seven times in 12 appearances when facing Mikel Arteta's side. The 30-year-old has bagged 16 goals in each of the last two Premier League seasons and helped Villa finish fourth last term on top of winning the Europa League.
Despite another strong season at club level, Watkins only made two appearances at the World Cup, neither of them starts. He cameoed in England's 2-0 win against Panama before playing the second half as the Three Lions beat France 6-4 to secure a third-place finish for Thomas Tuchel's men.
Watkins has two years remaining on his contract with Villa. Since joining them from Brentford in a deal rising to £33m, he's scored 108 goals and provided 46 assists.