Following calls for Arsenal to finalize the striker’s deal from Aston Villa, Ollie Watkins has disclosed the contents of a private conversation he had with Declan Rice. Watkins has been in outstanding form for Villa this season, netting 19 goals and dishing out 12 assists in 34 Premier League games. Arsenal is looking for a new forward.

Comparing Watkins to Thierry Henry, Theo Walcott recently advised his former team, Arsenal, to sign him during the next transfer window at the end of the current campaign. That followed Mikael Silvestre’s declaration that Watkins, rather than Brentford star Ivan Toney, should be Arsenal’s first priority in January.

Watkins, who received recognition from Arsenal great Henry in March, has now revealed the details of his recent private conversations with midfielder Rice of the Gunners.

The two talked about Villa’s chances of winning the Europa Conference League after Rice won the title at West Ham last season, rather than Watkins transferring to Arsenal.

Watkins said to TNT Sports prior to Villa’s Europa Conference League semi-final matchup with Olympiacos: “I spoke to Dec (Declan Rice) at England.”

‘[He was] confident that we’re going to win it. We’re confident ourselves but you never know what’s going to happen.

‘You never know with these teams. Lille put us under a lot of pressure and it’s going to be difficult but I think we have got the squad to do it.’

Watkins also spoke of his love for one of Arsenal’s biggest heroes as the 28-year-old Englishman added: ‘My idol was Thierry Henry.