'I know': Carragher says Arsenal made £50m bid to sign 29-goal/assist star after club offered the player

Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has revealed that Aston Villa offered Arsenal the opportunity to sign Ollie Watkins earlier this year.

The Gunners were tipped to sign a new striker during the winter transfer window. Watkins emerged as a possible option before the February 3 deadline.

However, a deal did not materialise in the end. Villa ended up selling Jhon Duran to Al-Nassr due to concerns over Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR).

Speaking on The Overlap, Carragher has now disclosed that Villa were the ones who contacted the Gunners regarding Watkins rather than the other way around.

Arsenal made an offer worth £50 million, but it was deemed insufficient for the Midlands outfit.

Carragher said: “When we talk about Arsenal going for Ollie Watkins, someone told me that Aston Villa offered him to Arsenal.

“I know that. I don’t think it was Arsenal phoning Villa saying they want to sign him.

“Arsenal didn’t sign him because they didn’t offer a lot of money. They offered around £50million. However, this is the information I had. If I know that then I’m sure his agent knows that.

“Villa have spent a lot of money, and they need to get something back. In an ideal world, you probably would sell Ollie Watkins and keep Jhon Duran because he’s the younger player – he’s only 21.”

Watkins has been a key player for Unai Emery’s side. He has registered 29 goal contributions from 49 appearances in all competitions this campaign.

His vast Premier League experience would have been helpful for the Gunners, but the hierarchy were reluctant to pay over the odds for the 29-year-old.

Villa wanted at least £60m for the striker, but Arsenal offered £10m less, as per Carragher.

Arsenal would have benefited from Watkins’ presence upfront, considering Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus have been out injured for the past few months.

However, the decision has not proved costly, in our view. Mikel Merino has been brilliant as Arsenal’s emergency striker since Havertz’s setback in February.

The Spaniard has exceeded expectations with six goals and four assists over the last two months.

Merino scored and provided two assists in the Champions League quarter-final ties against Real Madrid.

Arsenal are poised to sign a new striker at the end of the season, and we would be surprised if they make a renewed approach to recruit Watkins from Villa.

Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyokeres has reportedly become the top target amid another sensational campaign.

He has bagged a staggering 48 goals and 12 assists from 47 appearances this term. He could be purchased for around £60m during the summer.

The 26-year-old has reportedly given the green light to join the Gunners after holding talks with new sporting director Andrea Berta earlier this month.

Stats from Transfermarkt.com

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