Arsenal have reignited their interest in Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins after becoming frustrated in their swoop for Viktor Gyokeres, according to a report.
The club have held talks with Sporting over a move for in-demand hitman Gyokeres this summer but an agreement has not materalised – and Mail Sport understands they have drawn up a shortlist of big-name back-up options.
Gyokeres has emerged as one of their primary targets in this window after scoring an incredible 97 goals in 102 games for Sporting since joining in 2023.
However, Portuguese outlet Record have claimed that Arsenal have shelved their interest in the Swede and turn their attention back to Villa ace Watkins.
Sporting are holding firm over their asking price for Gyokeres despite him snubbing Manchester United, and a reunion with Ruben Amorim, and informing Arsenal he wishes to join them. He has a release clause worth £85million written into his deal.
Various reports have indicated that an initial £55m bid from Arsenal was rebuffed while an improved offer, worth around £60m, was also then turned down.
Arsenal have drawn up a back-up plan if they can’t sign Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting
Mikel Arteta is determined to sign a new forward and he has a shortlist of five names
The club could rekindle interest in Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins after a January bid was rejected
Record allege Arsenal’s hierarchy have become frustrated with the saga, so much so that they are now exploring moving for Watkins or RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko.
Arsenal, of course, made a last-gasp bid to sign Watkins in January but their approach was rejected. They could now rekindle their interest in the hope of securing a reasonable deal and bolstering Mikel Arteta’s frontline for next season.
Watkins made 54 total appearances for Villa last season, scoring 17 goals, but made it clear he would have to consider his future if he did not receive more game time.
As reported by Mail Sport last night, Arsenal have made Sesko, who scored 21 goals in his 45 matches across all competitions for Leipzig last term, their No 1 target.
But it can also now be revealed that Newcastle talisman Alexander Isak and Atletico Madrid’s Julian Alvarez are on the club’s radar this summer.
After his side’s title bid was derailed by a lack of firepower – and a number of injuries – last term, Arteta is determined to reinforce his frontline and new sporting director Andrea Berta, who replaced Edu, has been tasked with negotiations.
They were dealt a major blow in their pursuit of Nico Williams after the highly-rated Athletic Bilbao winger held talks with both Barcelona and Bayern Munich.
Arteta previously promised an eye-catching summer of spending at the Emirates, saying: ‘It’s going to be a big one and we are very excited about it.
RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko is Arsenal’s No 1 target but Gyokeres remains a fall-back option
Newcastle’s Alexander Isak (left) and Atletico Madrid’s Julian Alvarez (right) are on their radar
Arteta promised a big summer of spending after they finished second for a third straight year
‘The way we planned the first five summers, they were going to be very big and they were going to have different objectives.
‘There were a lot of players with three, four or five-year contracts. So the turnaround of the squad and how you visualise the next five years was very dependent on that.’
