Arsenal offered two alternatives to Ollie Watkins who are ‘more fluid’ strikers. – Report

Arsenal is exploring two alternatives to Ollie Watkins, identified as ‘more fluid’ strikers, in their search for a forward this summer.

The Gunners are considering Lille’s Jonathan David and RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko as potential replacements for Watkins to spearhead their attack next season.

Mikel Arteta’s squad is in urgent need of a new striker and had previously made a £60 million bid for Aston Villa’s Watkins in January.

This season, Arsenal is likely to miss out on the Premier League title again, currently trailing 12 points behind leaders Liverpool.

Just before the winter transfer window closed, they attempted to revive their title hopes by offering a substantial sum for Watkins.

However, Aston Villa, who have advanced to the Champions League quarter-finals, rejected the offer, keeping the talented forward in the West Midlands.

Arsenal may revisit negotiations in the summer to secure Watkins from Villa Park permanently.

However, former Aston Villa defender Richard Dunne expresses doubts about whether the England international would be the right fit for Arteta’s system.

“Ollie Watkins is undoubtedly a talented player, and he fulfills a specific role for Aston Villa that works well for their manager,” Dunne shared in an exclusive interview with Express Sport, in collaboration with William Hill Vegas.

“He provides Villa with a unique asset, but the question is whether Arsenal needs that type of center-forward or if they prefer someone with greater link-up play and movement.

“It’s a challenging situation. It seems like there’s a shift back towards traditional center-forwards who can make a significant impact.

This year in the Champions League, there isn’t a wide range of standout talent.

Jonathan David at Lille has been impressive, and Sesko at Leipzig has also shown promise.”

Arsenal has faced challenges for an extended period in identifying the ideal candidate for their forward position, which is a complex task.

They seem to be seeking a more dynamic center-forward, someone capable of contributing to the build-up play. This role is proving to be difficult for them.

Watkins has scored 14 goals and provided 11 assists across all competitions for Villa this season, following an impressive tally of 27 goals in the previous season.

The 29-year-old made his move to Villa in 2020 after a successful stint at Brentford and is under contract with the club until the summer of 2028.

Dunne also remarked, “I believe there will be interest from other clubs, but Villa is on the verge of achieving something significant.

I don’t think he will be eager to leave or trying to force a transfer. He is currently in a very positive situation.”