Arsenal Initiates Discussions in Bid to Secure Aston Villa’s Key Asset

In a recent development, Arsenal’s director, Edu, has entered into discussions with football agent Paulo Vernazza to explore the prospect of acquiring Ollie Watkins, according to sources within the football industry.

Notably, Paulo Vernazza, a former Arsenal player, heads the agency Two Touch, which currently represents the talented striker from Aston Villa. This news comes against the backdrop of Chelsea also expressing a strong interest in securing the services of the sought-after English international.

Remarkably, the admiration between both Arsenal’s manager, Mikel Arteta, and Ollie Watkins has not gone unnoticed by the public eye. In fact, the player himself has openly proclaimed his allegiance to Arsenal, adding an intriguing dimension to the potential transfer.

Insiders with knowledge of the situation suggest that sealing the deal for Watkins during the upcoming January transfer window may prove to be a challenging endeavor.

The primary hurdle in this pursuit stems from Aston Villa’s persistent attempts to secure a new contract for their star player. It is understood that Watkins is seeking a lucrative five-year contract, with wage demands exceeding the substantial sum of £150,000 per week.

It’s worth noting that while both Arsenal and Chelsea have expressed interest in Ivan Toney, there appears to be a prevailing sentiment within Arsenal that favors securing the services of Ollie Watkins. This preference is driven by Watkins’ readiness to contribute to the team’s immediate needs on the field.