Mikel Arteta a fan of Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins, but Arsenal have concerns over paying over £40m due to his age | OneFootball

Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta remains informed on the situation of Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins, while manager Mikel Arteta is a fan of the player after the club explored a deal in January, according to The Athletic.

However, the Gunners have concerns over paying a fee in excess of £40 million for a player who turns 30 in December.

Arsenal have a couple of striking targets on their radar, including Newcastle United hitman Alexander Isak, who is Arteta’s preferred candidate for the centre-forward role.

Signing the Sweden international will cost around £150m, and it is believed he will stay with the Magpies if they qualify for the Champions League.

As a result, the North London club are looking at other options, with RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko and his Sporting CP counterpart Viktor Gyokeres on their radar, but neither boasts the Premier League experience of Watkins.

The 29-year-old has notched 75 goals in the English top-flight in 182 games, assisting 35 times.

He has 16 goals and seven assists in 36 league games this term after ending last term with 19 goals and 15 assists in 37 league matches, and he could be a perfect option for Arsenal.

Watkins is a boyhood fan of the Gunners and is believed to be open to a move, but whether they are willing to pay over £40m for his services remains to be seen.

Around £60-70m could get them Gyokeres, while Sesko could be available for slightly more, but going after a proven Premier League goalscorer in Watkins could make more sense.

He has around three or four more years left to perform optimally at this level, but going after such a short-term solution could help them land the Premier League title and Champions League, and Berta and Arteta have to consider signing him.