Exclusive: Arsenal have already identified their striker priority after failed Watkins attempt

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Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa scores against Celtic
Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa scores against Celtic at Villa Park. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)

With time of the essence in the January transfer window, Arsenal have already identified which striker they want to sign after failing to lure Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins to the Emirates Stadium.

It’s believed that Watkins is a fan of the North London club and it would clearly be a dream to sign for them, however, Unai Emery would appear to not want to sell the England international after agreeing to allow Jhon Duran to join Al Nassr.

Arsenal chasing Sesko and Vlahovic after Watkins failure

Dusan Vlahovic of Juventus during the Serie A match against Napoli.
Dusan Vlahovic of Juventus during the Serie A match against Napoli. (Photo by Francesco Pecoraro/Getty Images)

According to CaughtOffside sources, the Gunners have quickly pivoted away from Watkins despite reports to the contrary and, in fact, are now going to push for either Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig or Dusan Vlahovic from Juventus.

Man United wanted Vlahovic in a swap deal for Joshua Zirkzee earlier in the month, but nothing has transpired at this point.

The Serbian has lost his place to Randal Kolo Muani and sources understand that even before the PSG man was acquired, Juve were open to saying farewell to Vlahovic.

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Mikel Arteta’s priority has always been Sesko, and Leipzig’s elimination from the Champions League could yet facilitate the player’s exit, even if the Bundesliga outfit is absolutely not open to reducing his price.

Ollie Watkins unlikely to secure Gunners dream

If, in the end, there is no time for Arsenal to buy a more traditional centre-forward, sources have told CaughtOffside that Arsenal will also evaluate the possibility of buying a replacement for Bukayo Saka.

At present, the players under consideration are Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo – who is also of interest to Liverpool – and Bryan Mbeumo, whose contract expires at Brentford in June 2026.

Mbeumo’s situation in particular would at least give the Gunners some leverage, but time is running out and they need to move quickly if they want to finalise any new signings.

More Stories Benjamin Sesko Dusan Vlahovic Mikel Arteta Ollie Watkins

15 Comments

  1. We don’t need yet another scoring winger! We are lucky to have saka Martinelli trossard and Nwaneri .We need a striker right now.

    1. I disagree with this sterling yesterday showed why we need an alternative to Martinelli someone that can dribble at defenders but we need someone that has that finishing touch like Nwaneri showed off the right. but also need a striker that can finish the chances we get up top like the chance Trossard missed when it brushed off him. Get Williams and Oshimen/ Vlahovic

      1. That! Williams is a must-buy if they can pull it off. Vlahovic/Osimhen both much better than Watkins – but that was probably a feint anyway.
        Arsenal is almost complete: williams/cf – quiet, very good teambuilding with a lot of tactical options when concluding those 2 positions. Guess, the internal roadmap was always to aim for seasons 25/26+26/27 to pick up titles.

  2. Arteta needs to splash the cash and pay the £86m buy out clause for Gyokeres while he is still available. Don’t be tight with the purse strings if you want to win the league this year, because next year, Chelsea Tottenham Manchester united and Manchester city will all be playing a lot better next year. This year is Arsenal’s best hope of winning either or both the premier league and Champions league trophy. Splash the cash for the best and that’s Gyokeres.

  3. I can’t believe that Arsenal would bid £60 million for Watkins, way too much for a 29 year old player.
    It must be fake news again!

  4. Instead of Arsenal fooling the fans by bidding for Watkins that Villa would not sell to us, why not splash the cash for Gyokeres or at worst Vlahovic that are readily available…Arsenal is condemned to buying a Top Striker this January. It is very glaring for all to see…

  5. I swear, Arsenal are the worst when it comes to signing good players. They know what their problem is yet do not wanna solve it. I think I will stop watching their games and have peace of mind

  6. I really don’t understand why #arsenal are going for Watkins who is already 29 years of age when we Sesko and Gyokeres open to move. We need a winger as well, someone like Nico Williams cuz Martinelli, Sterling are not wingers we can relay on.

  7. na why arsenal fans no feet talk in time argument with others clubs fans,buy better player to win champion league for us,so we will get mouth lile others,haba arsenal,,,,,,why giving blood pressure

  8. Its very unfair to go for 29 yrs Watkins while my grandfather is still searching for a club! You’d have gone for him too!! Any purchase that is not Samu Aghehowa Omorodion of Porto who score goals as if there are no barriers; Isak or Gyokeres, just forget it. All these your Watkins, Vlahovic, Sesko, Retegui, Cunha and co, are not up to our standard . The first three are the ones that meet our requirements. I don’t know why Arteta has not gone for Samu Aghehowa. Porto will definitely come down from there 84m pounds release clause. He’s just 20 and 6’4″ tall. Its only ascribed unto few to score 18 goals in there first 21 games, including a brace against Man United in Europa Cup. None of his goal is coming from a spot kick.

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