Aston Villa reject shock approach from Arsenal for striker Ollie Watkins with fellow star set for mega-money move
Arsenal have seen a shock approach for Aston Villa star Ollie Watkins rejected, talkSPORT understands. The Villans turned down the offer for the 29-year-old immediately. Watkins’ boyhood club have put in a late offer for himGetty The value of the opening bid is unknown, although the Gunners are ready to return with an improved offer and are willing to pay up to £60million. talkSPORT understands boyhood Arsenal fan Watkins would be open to the move if the clubs were to agree a fee. Meanwhile, Villa were not happy with the timing of Arsenal’s approach as they prepared to face Celtic in the Champions League. The club are not planning for the departure of Watkins during the current window but now face a fight to keep both their leading frontmen. Jhon Duran is set for an incredible 77 million Euros transfer to Al-Nassr, which could rise to 90 million. The striker has agreed personal terms and will earn around 15 million Euros a year. He is now set to have a medical in London before flying to Saudi Arabia to complete the deal and join up with Cristiano Ronaldo. With Duran leaving, it would take a monster bid for Villa to now consider selling Watkins. Watkins, who joined Villa in 2020, still has over three years remaining on his contract. The extension he signed in October 2023 also includes the option of a further year through to the summer of 2029. GettyWatkins has over three years remaining on his Villa deal[/caption] Fellow Villa striker Duran is leavingGetty Watkins has had a productive season So far this year, Watkins has scored ten goals in 23 league appearances for Unai Emery‘s side. The England international has also provided five assists across those matches. Arsenal’s move for Watkins has been endorsed by Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink. The former Chelsea man told Drive: “I can see why Arsenal are going after him. Arsenal need goals, he loves goals. “They need a striker and there aren’t many strikers around anymore, it’s unfortunate that I have to say that!” Hasselbaink added: “I can’t see it happening. If it does it shows Villa have no ambition to get into the top four again. They might be his boyhood club, but Watkins loves scoring against Arsenal “They’re still in the Champions League and they’re going to want to keep all their best players.” Mikel Arteta has been left with limited options in the centre forward position following Gabriel Jesus’ anterior cruciate ligament injury. The Brazilian’s lengthy lay-off has ruled him out for the season, with a return not expected until at least November. As a result, Kai Havertz is the only senior striker available for the Gunners, but he is often deployed in a deeper role by Arteta. This has seen Arsenal strongly linked with adding to their striker options in recent weeks. The Gunners have shown an interest in Newcastle’s Alexander Isak, who was previously a target during his time at Real Sociedad. A move for the Swedish forward would have to wait until the summer, though. It is a similar scenario for both Benjamin Sesko and Viktor Gyokeres, who are amongst the most-wanted strikers in Europe at present. January moves for both Bryan Mbuemo and Dusan Vlahovic also look unlikely as the deadline approaches.
Arsenal have seen a shock approach for Aston Villa star Ollie Watkins rejected, talkSPORT understands.
The Villans turned down the offer for the 29-year-old immediately.
The value of the opening bid is unknown, although the Gunners are ready to return with an improved offer and are willing to pay up to £60million.
talkSPORT understands boyhood Arsenal fan Watkins would be open to the move if the clubs were to agree a fee.
Meanwhile, Villa were not happy with the timing of Arsenal’s approach as they prepared to face Celtic in the Champions League.
The club are not planning for the departure of Watkins during the current window but now face a fight to keep both their leading frontmen.
Jhon Duran is set for an incredible 77 million Euros transfer to Al-Nassr, which could rise to 90 million.
The striker has agreed personal terms and will earn around 15 million Euros a year.
He is now set to have a medical in London before flying to Saudi Arabia to complete the deal and join up with Cristiano Ronaldo.
With Duran leaving, it would take a monster bid for Villa to now consider selling Watkins.
Watkins, who joined Villa in 2020, still has over three years remaining on his contract.
The extension he signed in October 2023 also includes the option of a further year through to the summer of 2029.
So far this year, Watkins has scored ten goals in 23 league appearances for Unai Emery‘s side.
The England international has also provided five assists across those matches.
Arsenal’s move for Watkins has been endorsed by Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink.
The former Chelsea man told Drive: “I can see why Arsenal are going after him. Arsenal need goals, he loves goals.
“They need a striker and there aren’t many strikers around anymore, it’s unfortunate that I have to say that!”
Hasselbaink added: “I can’t see it happening. If it does it shows Villa have no ambition to get into the top four again.
“They’re still in the Champions League and they’re going to want to keep all their best players.”
Mikel Arteta has been left with limited options in the centre forward position following Gabriel Jesus’ anterior cruciate ligament injury.
The Brazilian’s lengthy lay-off has ruled him out for the season, with a return not expected until at least November.
As a result, Kai Havertz is the only senior striker available for the Gunners, but he is often deployed in a deeper role by Arteta.
This has seen Arsenal strongly linked with adding to their striker options in recent weeks.
The Gunners have shown an interest in Newcastle’s Alexander Isak, who was previously a target during his time at Real Sociedad.
A move for the Swedish forward would have to wait until the summer, though.
It is a similar scenario for both Benjamin Sesko and Viktor Gyokeres, who are amongst the most-wanted strikers in Europe at present.
January moves for both Bryan Mbuemo and Dusan Vlahovic also look unlikely as the deadline approaches.
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