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<p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><p style="display: none;">Article continues below</p><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Gyokeres pursuit potentially on hold</li><li>Arsenal considering Watkins again</li><li>Gunners weighing up multiple strikers</li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n"><strong>Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</strong></a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table>

Arsenal back in for Ollie Watkins?! Gunners put Viktor Gyokeres deal on ice to explore second swoop for Aston Villa striker after failed bid in January

<p>According to Portuguese outlet <em>Record</em> (via <a href="https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/35413171/arsenal-transfer-news-viktor-gyokeres-ollie-watkins-sesko/" target="_blank"><em>The Sun</em></a>), Arsenal have at least temporarily shelved interest in Gyokeres. It follows unsuccessful talks with Sporting CP, in which the Portuguese champions are said to have held firm over an £85 million ($116m) asking price, with the Gunners only offering £55m ($75m). It was only recently reported that Sporting's insistence on being paid the full release clause, as opposed to a lower amount, is down to a fractious relationship with Gyokeres' agent, <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/sporting-cp-prepared-hike-viktor-gyokeres-valuation-100m-transfer-standoff-man-utd-arsenal-interest/blte8dbbc1a7f6f806f" target="_blank">who could claim a 10% penalty payment from Sporting if the club rejects any offer over the value of €60m (£51m/$70m)</a>.</p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>It appears to have turned Arsenal back onto Watkins. Although not going as far as suggesting that interest in Gyokeres is over, the <a href="https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/arsenal-transfers-gyokeres-sesko-watkins-35396704" target="_blank"><em>Mirror</em></a> has reported that a fresh approach for Watkins is not being ruled out. To keep all options open, the Gunners are weighing up a move for him at the same as still exploring deals for Gyokeres and RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko. Arsenal fell short in a <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/arsenal-ollie-watkins-aston-villa-striker-transfer-bid/blt6c2da594f78794ab" target="_blank">late bid to sign Watkins in January</a> because they didn't meet Aston Villa's £60m valuation, but the asking price is unlikely to be different now.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>Watkins has scored 75 goals across his five Premier League seasons to date, never dipping below 11 since he first joined Aston Villa from Brentford in the summer of 2020. The 29-year-old, who scored England's winner in the Euro 2024 semi-final against the Netherlands, is the definition of a late bloomer - he was a product of Exeter City's academy and was 24 when he played in the top flight for the first time.</p>

DID YOU KNOW?

<p>The Gunners need to figure out which striker suits them best. Gyokeres would be the most expensive but isn't proven in one of Europea's top five leagues - Liverpool know first hand from Darwin Nunez that signing Liga Portugal's best striker is not guaranteed success. Sesko is the youngest and therefore offers the most long-term upside, but his goal output in the Bundesliga is respectable rather than outstaning. Watkins wouldn't be much more than a short-term boost, which only kicks the metaphorical can a little further down road.</p>

WHAT NEXT FOR ARSENAL?

Arsenal back in for Ollie Watkins?! Gunners put Viktor Gyokeres deal on ice to explore second swoop for Aston Villa striker after failed bid in January | Goal.com

Arsenal&apos;s frustration over Viktor Gyokeres could lead to a renewed approach for Aston Villa and England striker Ollie Watkins.