Arsenal could sign boyhood fan in surprise move: report

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Arsenal could make a lifelong Gooner their big marquee signing this summer

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta
Arteta needs reinforcements up front (Image credit: Getty Images)

Arsenal have been touted to land a lifelong fan of the club this summer in their quest for a top striker to take them over the line.

For the third season running, manager Mikel Arteta has failed to deliver a Premier League title, with Liverpool wrapping up their 20th championship recently, while the Gunners' form has dipped following major injuries in attack.

With Champions League action returning tonight for Arsenal, there could yet be big silverware coming to North London before the end of the season – but new sporting director Andrea Berta is said to already be busy looking to secure a prolific no.9 ahead of next season.

Arsenal touted to make huge signing in attack this summer

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 31: Kai Havertz of Arsenal celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the Premier League match between Arsenal FC and Brighton & Hove Albion FC at Emirates Stadium on August 31, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

Kai Havertz is currently Arsenal's first-choice striker (Image credit: Getty Images)

With Raheem Sterling looking likely to return back to Chelsea following his loan spell, Gabriel Jesus out with an ACL injury until midway through next season and Leandro Trossard a real possibility to sell this summer, big moves are expected in attack at N5.

Despite this, links with new forwards have gone quiet, with the likes of Martin Zubimendi said to be close and defender Cristhian Mosquera said to be in talks.

Arsenal target Martin Zubimendi of Real Sociedad reacts during the LaLiga match between Real Sociedad and Atletico de Madrid at Reale Arena on October 06, 2024 in San Sebastian, Spain.

Arsenal are heavily linked with players across the pitch – but not really up front (Image credit: Getty Images)

Now, CaughtOffside have reignited the rumour mill, claiming that Ollie Watkins would be interested in a move this summer.

Speaking to former scout Mick Brown, the report states that any impending permanent arrival of Marcus Rashford at Aston Villa could push the 29-year-old out of the picture and that his historic support of Arsenal could be a decisive factor in wanting to join the Gunners.

FourFourTwo understands that Watkins is merely one of several options on the radar for the club: but the England international isn't necessarily the top pick of either manager Arteta or director Berta.

Arsenal were heavily linked with an opportunistic move for Watkins back in January but any possible transfer back then was dependent on Jhon Duran remaining in the Midlands – and with Berta having since joined, he has his own ideas of forwards to chase.

BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - AUGUST 24: Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa in action during the Premier League match between Aston Villa FC and Arsenal FC at Villa Park on August 24, 2024 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Neville Williams/Aston Villa FC via Getty Images)

Ollie Watkins could yet be an option for Arsenal in attack (Image credit: Getty Images)

Berta's arrival would make a Watkins move a surprise to say the least: Viktor Gyokeres has emerged as a target in recent weeks, while historic interest in Benjamin Sesko could well be sparked up once more, should his club, RB Leipzig, fail to qualify for the Champions League this season.

Watkins is worth €50m, according to Transfermarkt. Arsenal travel to PSG tonight in the second-leg of the of the Champions League semi-finals.

Mark White
Mark White
Content Editor

Mark White has been at on FourFourTwo since joining in January 2020, first as a staff writer before becoming content editor in 2023. An encyclopedia of football shirts and boots knowledge – both past and present – Mark has also represented FFT at both FA Cup and League Cup finals (though didn't receive a winners' medal on either occasion) and has written pieces for the mag ranging on subjects from Bobby Robson's season at Barcelona to Robinho's career. He has written cover features for the mag on Mikel Arteta and Martin Odegaard, and is assisted by his cat, Rosie, who has interned for the brand since lockdown.