Ollie Watkins is in the form of his life but according to the latest reports, the forward is not going to get a new deal anytime soon.
Watkins still has two more years left on his current deal but because of his rise in form and Arsenal’s interest in signing him, everyone was sure that Aston Villa will immediately offer him a new deal. However, that doesn’t seem to be the case because the club are yet to hold talks over a new and improved contract.
BirminghamLive’s correspondent, Ashley Preece, said on the Claret & Blue podcast: “He[Ollie Watkins] needs a new contact, for me. I think he has deserved one.
“I asked Unai Emery about that about a week ago and he said that they haven’t spoken about that yet given that Villa have recently handed one to Tyrone Mings. He had 18 months left on his and Ollie has two years, so there’s no rush whatsoever there.
“The challenge is for him to continue that upturn in form and if he does, he needs a bumper new pay rise, a new contract, and we go into next season firing on all cylinders.
“The contract talks should be happening now in the background given his form and he totally deserves one. He’s one of the only players who hasn’t signed a new one. He signed a deal in 2020 and he has two years left now so I think he will be next one to commit and I’d be all of that.
“A few weeks ago there was talk of Arsenal coming in for him. You start to worry then a little bit don’t you, given he was an Arsenal fan as a boy. That’s what new contracts do, fend off the opposition and commit your long-term future.”
Will Arsenal try and sign Ollie Watkins in the summer?
Edu is keen to strengthen Arsenal’s squad over the summer and someone like Ollie Watkins can become a great asset.
The forward has played in 26 Premier League games this season and has scored nine goals along with five assists. He was unfortunate not to get an England call-up this time around but if he can maintain this same form then he will become a regular for the Three Lions very soon.
Arsenal have been linked with the 27-year-old over the past few weeks and if Villa don’t offer him a new contract in the coming months then the Gunners will surely make a move in the summer. His current market value is €32 million and because he has only two years left on his contract, a transfer fee of around €45-50 million should be enough to sign him up.
Gabriel Jesus is reportedly wanted by Real Madrid and somehow if they end up losing the Brazilian to Madrid then Ollie Watkins can be a great replacement. No matter what the future has in store for Jesus, Arsenal will most likely make a move for Ollie Watkins and because the 27-year-old is a boyhood Gunners man, a summer transfer is very much on the cards.
