Ollie Watkins Next Club Odds: Arsenal Favourites To Nab English Striker

Ollie Watkins has enjoyed a fantastic season with Aston Villa, and UK betting sites believe a big-money move could lie in store this summer.

After struggling for goals under Steven Gerrard, Watkins has become one of the most dangerous frontmen in England’s top flight since Unai Emery took charge at Villa Park.

Where might the former Brentford forward end up if he does seek pastures new in the summer? 

You can find the latest odds below, followed by our analysis of Watkins’ future.

Arsenal Favourites As They Look To Add More Depth

After fading out of the Premier League title this season, Arsenal will need to beef up their squad ahead of next term. 

Indeed, their imminent return to the Champions League means Mikel Arteta’s squad requires more strength and depth in all areas.

Arsenal coped reasonably well without the injured Gabriel Jesus from December to March, but they will be keen to have more attacking options at their disposal in 2023/24. 

Watkins would fit the bill as both he and Jesus are mobile attackers who can start from a wider berth if needed, and the Villa man already has Premier League experience.

Arsenal are the 3/1 favourites with football betting sites to land the England international, whose contract with his current employers runs until 2025.

Tottenham Could Be Looking For A Harry Kane Replacement

This looks set to be a significant summer for the north London club, who are still on the lookout for the next Tottenham manager after Antonio Conte’s explosive exit. 

Their choice of manager could go a long way to determining the future of Harry Kane. 

Out of contract in 2024, Kane may attempt to seek pastures new this summer. If he does, Spurs will face the incredibly difficult task of trying to replace him. 

Given that Kane is one of the world’s foremost centre-forwards, securing a player of comparable quality will be almost impossible.

They could do far worse than Watkins though, and UK bookmakers give Spurs an 8/1 chance of winning the race for his signature.

Manchester United Searching For Their Next Striker

Given that Manchester United are in desperate need of a new centre-forward, it is a little surprising that they are only priced at 14/1 with Parimatch to sign Watkins, below clubs from a variety of leagues around Europe.

It is true that the 27-year-old is unlikely to be United’s top transfer target this summer. 

The aforementioned Kane and Victor Osimhen have been heavily linked with a switch to Old Trafford, although neither striker would come cheap.

Watkins could be a more affordable alternative, even if he would not excite United fans in the same way as Kane or Osimhen would. 

Still, it is easy to imagine Watkins and Marcus Rashford dovetailing nicely in the final third.

Chelsea Set For Another Busy Summer In Transfer Market

Chelsea have spent around £600m this season, yet they finished in the bottom half of the Premier League and sacked two managers. 

It has been a campaign to forget for the Blues, whose new owners still have plenty to prove.

Given that a new boss will be at the helm at the start of the 2023/24 campaign - Luis Enrique and Julian Nagelsmann appear to be the two leading contenders as things stand - we can expect Chelsea to splash more cash in the summer. 

The squad is already bloated but Pochettino will demand signings of his own. 

Strengthening the attack will be a priority for him. Christopher Nkunku is on his way from RB Leipzig, and Watkins is available at 20/1 with BetVictor to join him in west London.

Liverpool And Manchester City Not Likely To Enter Race

Liverpool and Manchester City are both priced at 25/1 with betting apps to land Watkins, which suggests he is unlikely to end up at Anfield or the Eithad Stadium.

Liverpool’s focus will be on strengthening the midfield this summer, while reinforcements might also be required at the back. 

Even though Roberto Firmino is set to depart when his contract expires, Liverpool will still have Diogo Jota, Mohamed Salah, Cody Gakpo, Luis Diaz and Darwin Nunez in attack.

Erling Haaland is the main man at Manchester City, with Julian Alvarez an able deputy. What is more, Watkins might not be the ideal fit for Pep Guardiola’s style of play.