Ollie Watkins pledged his allegiance to Aston Villa on Wednesday night despite Arsenal moving for the striker this week.
The Gunners are on the lookout for a striker in the January transfer window to address their troubles in the forward line. However, the Watkins move came out of the blue and football.london understands the bid came before Wednesday’s round of fixtures in the Champions League.
Villa rejected the approach from Arsenal but the Gunners are expected to go back in for Watkins before the window slams shut on Monday night. Reports have suggested that the West Midlands club are insistent they do not want to sell their star striker particularly with Jhon Duran on the verge of moving to Al Nassr.
However, the lure of playing for his boyhood team at the Emirates Stadium may be too big an opportunity for Watkins to turn down. That being said, the forward was focused entirely on Villa in the aftermath of their 4-2 victory over Celtic which secured their spot in the top eight.
Watkins scored on the night to give Villa a 3-2 lead but missed a chance to grab a brace by slipping when taking a penalty that ballooned over the crossbar. However, the 29-year-old England international was quick to see the funny side while also showing his devotion to his current club.
Taking to Instagram, he wrote: “Buzzing to qualify in top eight of the UCL [UEFA Champions League]. Special night for this special club (groundsmen is getting sacked in the morning).” He then re-shared that message again on Wednesday the day after sending it, along with pictures of himself in action during the game.
As things stand, Arsenal may have to do with the strikeforce currently available to them for the remainder of the season. Kai Havertz is the Gunners’ leading goalscorer in the Premier League this season with eight to his name while Watkins has managed ten goals for Villa in the top flight.
“I don’t want (him to leave),” Villa boss Unai Emery said after the game against Celtic. “It is good news to have offers from other clubs. We want to keep our sporting objective through the players we have in the squad.
“Every player can be in the market if it is good for the player and the club. “To get this deal we are going to be demanding. Watkins is our striker.”
On Duran, Emery added: “Our players are interesting other clubs and as well [they are] paying good money for us. “But of course our objective here is to keep our structure intelligently because we want to be on the sports side on the level we are and to keep it for a long time is the most difficult challenge we have.
“Of course sometimes we have to do it, maybe sell some players and as well change and try to continue improving always. “I don’t know exactly until everything is done if Jhon Duran is leaving but if he is leaving it is good news for us because it means they are paying good money.
“Because we have developed one young player in two years to get this offer. It is not only for the club, it is the club, the players and team, those circumstances can be positive. Club, the player and the team.”
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