Arsenal ‘hold talks’ with 41-goal Premier League star as Aaron Ramsdale ‘need to play football elsewhere’

Arsenal prepare to take on Brentford in the Carabao Cup this evening in a season that has already seen the two London clubs often mentioned in the same breath.

Former Bees goalkeeper David Raya continues to make headlines in North London having pushed Aaron Ramsdale out the side while Mikel Arteta is reported to be fostering an interest in striker Ivan Toney.

Here's your Wednesday evening transfer round-up.

Arsenal linked with Aston Villa talisman

Arsenal are said to have 'held talks' with Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins over a potential move to the Emirates Stadium.

Football Transfers report that Gunners director Edu set up a conversation with the talisman's agent over a Premier League switch as Arsenal look to add firepower up top.

Mikel Arteta has also been linked with a move for suspended Brentford star Ivan Toney with Chelsea also named as a club monitoring both the Bees' star and Watkins.

The Villa star has four goals in nine appearances across all competitions this season and has bagged 41 Premier League goals since arriving in the league in 2020. The 27-year-old is contracted at Villa Park until 2025 which could make a summer move viable for any suitor with just 12 months remaining on the player's deal.

Aaron Ramsdale will ‘need to play football somewhere else’

Manchester United legend Gary Neville has tipped Arsenal shot-stopper Aaron Ramsdale to seek a move away from the club in the near future having been ousted from the team by David Raya.

The Gunners splashed out £27 million on the former Brentford goalkeeper this summer and the Spaniard has pushed first-choice Ramsdale out of the starting XI in the last two Premier League fixtures.

Mikel Arteta has hinted at a rotation system and claimed that the number one spot is not Raya's for certain. However, Neville told the Stick to Football podcast that a star of Ramsdale's calibre wouldn't be reassured by those words.

Neville said: “If it carries on like this, he’s [Aaron Ramsdale] going to have to knock on [Mikel Arteta’s] door and say ‘look, I need to play football somewhere else if it carries on like this’.”