Arsenal will likely need to sign a striker in the next year.
Eddie Nketiah and Alexandre Lacazette are both into the final year of their contracts at the Emirates Stadium, with neither appearing likely to sign a new deal in the coming months.
Therefore, technical director Edu will need to add a prolific centre-forward to the ranks, especially considering club captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang's goalscoring exploits have declined in recent months.
The Gunners have been linked with a number of strikers, with the likes of Lautaro Martinez, Dusan Vlahovic and Alexander Isak all named as potential targets for next summer's transfer window.
Now, The Sun have claimed that manager Mikel Arteta has already told Edu to begin searching for a new centre-forward and English internationals Ollie Watkins and Dominic Calvert-Lewin are both mooted as potential Lacazette replacements.
Watkins, who is valued at £28.8million on Transfermarkt, plies his trade with former Arsenal goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, who has previously heaped praise on the 25-year-old.
"He's been outstanding for us, not just the goal-scoring and the finishing but his work ethic," Martinez said back in 2020. "He's a nightmare for defenders."
The Gunners know all too well about Watkins' ability in front of goal as the former Brentford frontman netted a brace during Villa's famous 3-0 win at the Emirates Stadium last term, a game that Martinez also played in.
The 29-year-old plied his trade with Arsenal for 10 years, enjoying a productive spell as Arteta's No.1 during the north London club's FA Cup run in 2020 which saw them clinch the trophy for a record 14th time following a 2-1 victory over Chelsea in the final.
However, the Argentine joined the Midlands club just a few months later, signing for a reported £20million.
