Arsenal sent transfer warning over Ollie Watkins pursuit as Roy Keane questions Aston Villa striker | OneFootball

Arsenal made an unsuccessful attempt to sign Watkins in January

Questioned: Roy Keane believes Ollie Watkins has found his level at Aston Villa

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Roy Keane has suggested Ollie Watkins will not become one of the “top, top” strikers in the world.

It remains to be seen whether Arsenal or another club make a move for the 29-year-old in the summer, but Keane has cast doubt on whether the elite clubs should be pursuing Watkins.

The Villa striker started in his side’s FA Cup win over Cardiff on Friday night and missed a big first-half chance, poking the ball wide when clean through on goal, and it led Keane to question whether Watkins had found “his level” at Villa.

“I like Watkins, I think he’s a really good player, I think he’s a threat, but maybe this is his level," Keane replied.

"I know he’s been linked with other clubs, but sometimes you go ‘maybe you’re not going to be that top, top striker'."

Villa are through to the quarter-finals of the FA Cup and among the sides who will believe they can go all the way, but boss Unai Emery was keen to insist they are not one of the big favourites.

"Yes we are in the quarter final and one step forward in this competition, which we didn’t do in the last two years here but still some teams who are more favourite than us, like Man City, Man United, Newcastle,” Emery sad. “Of course, other teams.

"But we know this competition is a way for a trophy, Wembley and the Europa League and it’s prestigious for the club. Supporters are excited and motivated to share this with us and we are motivated to try to share our way with the supporters."