Arsenal have been urged to move quickly in the January transfer window and make a substantial bid for Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins, with Paul Merson also recommending the club target AC Milan defender Fikayo Tomori.
With Arsenal battling for the Premier League title and seeking to cover for the injured Gabriel Jesus, Merson believes these two additions could help strengthen the Gunners’ squad and increase their chances of securing the title.
Arsenal’s need for a striker has been amplified by Jesus’ injury, and the club has reportedly set its sights on Watkins as a potential solution. Despite a bid of £45 million for the England international already being rejected by Villa, Arsenal are expected to return with an improved offer. Watkins, who is a lifelong Arsenal fan, has been in excellent form this season, registering 11 goals and 9 assists in 32 appearances across all competitions. Merson, a former Arsenal player, has suggested that the Gunners should not hesitate to offer £100 million to secure Watkins’ signature.
Merson believes that Watkins could be the missing piece in Arsenal’s bid for the Premier League title. “He’s proven and ticks all the boxes for Arsenal,” Merson said. “I would get Watkins, and if Arsenal offer £100 million, I’d be shocked if Villa turned it down.” Despite his age—Watkins is 29—Merson argues that the striker could help Arsenal now and in the future, as his experience would be invaluable for the Gunners’ push for the league title in the coming years.
Advertisement
Latest Press Conference
We’re on Social Media
In addition to Watkins, Merson has also recommended Arsenal pursue Fikayo Tomori from AC Milan. The former Chelsea defender has impressed at Milan since his move in 2021, and Merson believes he could provide quality depth to Arsenal’s defense. “He’s played at top clubs under pressure, and that’s exactly what Arsenal need,” Merson added. The Gunners are looking for someone who can step in seamlessly if Gabriel or William Saliba are unavailable, and Tomori fits the bill. However, Merson acknowledged that Tomori would likely serve as a back-up but could eventually become an integral part of the team.
Those Deals Difficult for Arsenal
Despite Merson’s enthusiasm, securing these deals could prove difficult for Arsenal. Aston Villa’s manager Unai Emery has made it clear that he does not want to sell Watkins, especially as the club aims to finish in the Premier League’s top four and has progressed to the Round of 16 in the Champions League. Furthermore, Tomori’s future at Milan remains uncertain, but with Tottenham reportedly in the mix, Arsenal may face stiff competition for the defender. Additionally, Tomori has only made nine Serie A starts this season, raising questions about whether he would be willing to move to Arsenal to sit on the bench.
As Arsenal continue to push for the Premier League title, their interest in attacking reinforcements remains a hot topic. Arsenal are reportedly also considering a bid for Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic and are keeping an eye on Bayer Leverkusen’s Victor Boniface. However, with other clubs also eyeing these players, Arsenal must act fast if they want to secure the right talent to bolster their squad and maintain their charge for the title. The Gunners will need to move quickly in the final days of the window to ensure they get the players they need to strengthen their bid for Premier League glory.
