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Report: Arsenal still want to sign £55m striker as well as Ollie Watkins
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01/30/2025 07:15 AM
Arsenal's search for a striker has led them down a number of different avenues in recent years.
12 months ago, Ivan Toney was linked to Arsenal, and, at one point, it looked like Toney would be the answer for the Gunners.
Meanwhile, Alexander Isak is a dream target for Arsenal, and Mikel Arteta is a huge fan of the player.
Now though, Arsenal have made their move for Ollie Watkins.
Arsenal made a £60m bid for Watkins on Wednesday, and while that offer was duly rejected, Arsenal are ready to go back in for the Aston Villa star.
However, Arsenal's striker search won't end even if they do sign Watkins.
It was stated a few weeks ago that Arsenal could sign two strikers in 2025, as reported by Ben Jacobs.
"I don't think many many of the top targets will come in, but I think the good news for Arsenal, to try and bring some joy and positivity for 2025, is that they might sign two," Jacobs said.
"Whoever comes in January may feel a bit less exciting to fans, in the same way there wasn't as much buzz over Leandro Trossard, but he's been excellent.
"You find a savvy name now that is economical, but then you go for a big name in summer."
Watkins may arrive before the January deadline, but there may still be another big-name striker addition at the end of the season.
- READ MORE: Thierry Henry has already delivered Ollie Watkins verdict amid Arsenal bid for Aston Villa star
Arsenal still want Benjamin Sesko
According to The Mirror, Arsenal still have Benjamin Sesko earmarked as their key target in the summer, despite being ready to bid again for Ollie Watkins.
This report states that Sesko remains Arsenal's long-term striker target, despite wanting Watkins as a more short-term option.
Sesko was an Arsenal target last summer, and, at one point, Arsenal thought they were set to sign Sesko.
However, that deal didn't come off, but it may be revisited in the summer.
Sesko compared to Ollie Watkins
Sesko rejected Arsenal last summer, and a key reason why Sesko rejected the Gunners was due to a potential lack of minutes.
Indeed, Sesko was worried about Kai Havertz and his presence at Arsenal potentially blocking his pathway into the first-team.
Those fears certainly won't be alleviated if Arsenal sign Watkins.
Indeed, Watkins is a striker who is performing much better than Sesko, and his pathway would be further blocked if the England international arrived.
Ollie Watkins | Benjamin Sesko | |
Games | 23 | 18 |
Goals | 10 | 8 |
Assists | 5 | 2 |
In an ideal world, Arsenal would sign Watkins this month and Sesko in the summer, but there's reason to believe that a move for Watkins in this window could affect the Gunners' chances of signing the £55m man at the end of the season.
One thing is for sure, it could be a busy 2025 in terms of striker incomings at the Emirates.