West Ham want to sign Brentford hitman Ollie Watkins this summer, according to a report from the Sun. But the Hammers could have their work cut-out with the 24-year-old having recently admitted that it would be his dream to join Arsenal.
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David Moyes will undoubtedly want to bring a new striker to the London Stadium this summer. But he will have to cut his cloth accordingly given the current financial climate.
And Mikel Arteta will be in the same boat. The Spaniard will surely be keen to add more firepower to his ranks at the Emirtaes, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette both facing uncertain futures in north London.
So Brentford’s £20 million valuation of Watkins (Sky Sports) might be attractive for West Ham and Arsenal.
But if the Hammers are to make a move for the prolific 24-year-old striker, his preference of a move to the Gunners could be a real problem for them. Especially if Arteta makes a concrete move for the Brentford ace.
Watkins told Sports Gazzette recently:
“Yeah, the dream. That’s the dream to play for Arsenal one day. But, you know: it’s a long shot.”
The English striker has been in superb form in the Championship this season.
He has racked up 22 goals in 37 Championship outings for the west London outfit (Who Scored).
Watkins has averaged 2.6 shots on goal per game, and he has won an average of two aerial duals per match. The Brentford ace has also averaged 0.7 dribbles and 1.5 key passes per game during that period (Who Scored).
The 24-year-old seems to be at the ideal stage in his career to make the jump up to the next level.
And he really could be an excellent addition for whichever club wins the race for his signature this summer.
It just remains to be seen whether Arsenal throw a spanner into the works for West Ham.
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