Rio Ferdinand insists Aston Villa star Ollie Watkins 'deserves' Arsenal move after Gunners saw January bid rejected for England international

The Gunners are expected to raid the transfer market in the summer in search of a quality striker ahead of the 2025-26 season. The Premier League giants have included Sporting CP's Viktor Gyokeres and RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko in their shortlist as Mikel Arteta seems desperate to add a new No.9 to his squad.

The North London side reportedly placed a transfer bid for England international striker Ollie Watkins in the January window, however, the Villans rejected it and instead sold Jhon Duran to Al-Nassr. Watkins has been left frustrated with his reduced game time under Unai Emery, who had benched the striker in both of Villa's Champions League quarter-final legs against Paris Saint-Germain.

Amid speculation over the English striker's future at Villa Park, Manchester United legend Ferdinand backed him to move to Arsenal in the summer.

He told TNT Sports: "I think he’s a cult hero here. 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."

Emery's side will be back in action in the Premier League on May 10 as they take on Bournemouth away from home.