Ollie Watkins to Arsenal transfer latest as shock bid prepared amid Viktor Gyokeres update

Ollie Watkins, a striker who Arsenal have actively tried to sign, is now reportedly being considered by Newcastle United in what would be a big twist this summer transfer window.

Six months have passed since the Gunners made their move for the 29-year-old. Facing a crisis with attacking injuries in the January window, football.london understands Aston Villa were presented with a £40m offer towards the end of that month.

Holding such importance to Unai Emery's plans, the Midlands club rejected this offer and demanded £60m instead. It was believed that Watkins - a boyhood Arsenal fan - was receptive to the move and had the two clubs agreed a deal then he would have happily made the switch from Villa Park to the Emirates Stadium.

Now the landscape has changed entirely as Mikel Arteta and Andrea Berta have zeroed in on an alternative target - Viktor Gyokeres.

Sporting CP's No.9 has also been of interest for a considerable time and off the back of his 54-goal 2024/25 campaign, talks are underway with the Portuguese champions and advancing to bring him to London.

But where does that leave Watkins?

For now the answer is at Villa, where he holds a contract until 2028. This coming season they will play Europa League football instead of Champions League football having been pipped by their rivals on the final day of last term.

But The Daily Mail suggest that one of those rivals, Newcastle, have held internal discussions around launching a daring bid for the man Arsenal once put all their efforts in to recruit.

It has been widely reported that the Magpies, like Arsenal, have been attempting to sign attacking talent before their return to UEFA's elite club competition. They have pivoted away from Brentford's Bryan Mbeumo only to be snubbed by Joao Pedro, who has signed for Chelsea instead.

So Watkins, who scored 17 in all competitions in 2024/25, appears to be the next on the list to have been at least pondered.

A certain shock factor would come with that deal purely based upon the fact Villa and Newcastle have been in direct contention with one another in recent seasons, rising from further down the top-flight table to take turns breaking up the country's traditional 'big six' and reach the Champions League.

The England international is also allegedly an option for Manchester United, who Arsenal face on the opening day of the Premier League season next month.

Red Devils manager Ruben Amorim had been linked with Gyokeres and restoring the bond they previously held at Sporting, but having lost traction to the Gunners they have been forced to look elsewhere. Arsenal have agreed personal terms with Gyokeres but are yet to agree a fee with Sporting for the striker.

Reports in Portugal have claimed that a deal for Gyokeres is on the brink of collapse but football.london understands, despite these reports, that a move to take the player to Arsenal remains the more likely scenario and that more talks will take place to iron out the final details.

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