Keane reveals blunt assessment of Arsenal target with Arteta warned against summer transfer

 Roy Keane has commented on Aston Villa forward Ollie Watkins amid reports suggesting Arsenal remain interested in the England international.

Watkins has developed into one of the best strikers in the Premier League as he’s shone for Aston Villa and England in recent seasons.

The 29-year-old – under contract until 2028 – has 13 goals and eleven assists in his 38 appearances across all competitions this season.

The Aston Villa standout was linked with a shock exit in January as Arsenal submitted a bid to their rivals after it became clear that they were unlikely to sign RB Leipzig star Benjamin Sesko in the summer.

Arsenal’s offer was submitted while Jhon Duran was finalising his move to Saudi Pro League side Al Nassr, so Villa unsurprisingly decided to swiftly reject this bid as they were unwilling to sell Watkins.

Having failed to sign a striker in January, Arsenal are expected to land at least one new forward in the summer. A recent report claimed they are already preparing a ‘new bid’ for Watkins, who they want to be their ‘second key addition’ before next season.

Watkins provided an assist as Aston Villa beat Cardiff City 2-0 in the FA Cup on Friday night. Ian Wright and Roy Keane dissected his performance and the latter claimed “maybe this is his level”.

“It’s just the decisions when you are in the box because I think that he had enough time,” Wright said.

“You can clip that over the trailing leg, because… when you are doing your football training, you know you have got to lift something because if you try and place it you have got to be so accurate…”

Keane responded: “I like Watkins, I think he is a really good player. I think he is a threat, but maybe this is his level.

“I know he has been linked with other clubs, but sometimes you go ‘maybe you are not going to be that top, top striker’.“