Rio Ferdinand believes Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins ‘deserves’ a move to Arsenal this summer.
Mikel Arteta’s side are in the market for a new striker in the summer window with Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyokeres and RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko on their shortlist.
Arsenal submitted a £40 million bid to sign Watkins in the January transfer window, however, their approach was rejected by Villa, who went on to sell Jhon Duran to Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr for £65m.
Watkins, meanwhile, has raised doubts over his future after admitting last month that he was ‘fuming’ with Unai Emery for starting on the bench for both of Villa’s Champions League quarter-final legs against Paris Saint-Germain.
Arsenal may reignite their interest in Watkins for the summer and Ferdinand feels the 29-year-old would make an impact under Arteta at Arsenal.
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‘I think he’s a cult hero here,’ Ferdinand told TNT Sports.
‘He’s one of the main reasons as to why they’re playing Champions League football and playing at this level.
‘I think for any defender he’s a hard day’s work, 100 per cent, he’s added quality to his game over the last few years.
‘His route to the top hasn’t been conventional, no academies, he’s worked his way here and he deserves everything he gets.
‘I wasn’t surprised Arsenal came in for him because I think he deserves that given the performances and the output he’s been putting in.’
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