Andy Gray Urges Arsenal to Tempt Aston Villa with £100m Bid for Ollie Watkins

Former Aston Villa forward Andy Gray has encouraged Arsenal to launch a £100million bid to secure the services of Aston Villa’s star striker Ollie Watkins before the January transfer window closes.

Speaking on beIN SPORTS, Gray acknowledged Villa’s rejection of Arsenal’s initial £60million offer and highlighted Watkins’ finishing ability, which he believes surpasses that of Arsenal’s Germany international Kai Havertz.

“I would be amazed if Aston Villa decided, for any money, to part ways with Ollie Watkins,” Gray said. “Arsenal are his boyhood club, so it’s always a dream to play for them, especially when they’re this good.”

Gray emphasized Watkins’ potential impact at Arsenal, citing the team’s creativity and Watkins’ instinctive finishing ability as reasons why he would thrive at the Emirates.

“He is a better finisher than Kai Havertz and knows how to play in that position better,” Gray added. “In Arsenal’s team, with the chances they create, he would score a lot of goals.”

With only days left in the transfer window, Gray suggested Arsenal might need to act decisively: “Throw £100million on the table and see if that tempts them.”

Despite Arsenal’s urgency to sign a striker, Gray expressed hope that Villa would retain Watkins, particularly given uncertainties surrounding fellow striker Jhon Durán.