Arsenal get new Ollie Watkins hope as Aston Villa deal ‘CLOSE’

Robin Bairner

1 Feb 2025 14:00 GMT
4 min read

Arsenal’s hopes of signing Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins have had new life breathed into them.

Article continues under the video

The Gunners have already had a €72 million (£60m) bid for the England striker rejected by their Premier League rivals.

ARSENAL TRANSFER NEWS TODAY: Arteta confident of No.9 deal with crazy offer

STATS

Ollie Watkins

F (C)

Aston Villa

Ollie Watkins

F (C)

Aston Villa

23

Games
10

Goals
5

Assists

Speaking on Friday, Villans boss Unai Emery was also steadfast in his insistence that Wakins will not be sold before the end of the transfer window.

“Some players prefer to leave and some players accept to stay here and commit to Aston Villa and compete for our challenges. One of them is Ollie Watkins,” Emery, a former Arsenal manager, said.

“Now we need him, like he needed Aston Villa in the last years. The conversation we are having usually is about how he is always adapting to every circumstance.

He is happy to stay. We asked him how he is feeling and he is happy here.

- Emery on Ollie Watkins

“He is happy to stay. We asked him how he is feeling and he is happy here.

“The commitment of Watkins is really a huge commitment to defend Aston Villa.”

Current ETV

Ollie Watkins

F (C)

Aston Villa

Ollie Watkins

F (C)

Aston Villa

ETV Range

€43.9M - €73.1M

But Arsenal supporters believe that Marcus Rashford’s impending move from Manchester United to Aston Villa – a deal that is now described as being “close” by various sources – could provide the Gunners with a late opening to snap up Watkins in a spectacular late swoop.

“One chess piece moved. Is this the Arsenal script?” one popular account tweeted.

Another added: “Rashford to Villa and 'boyhood Arsenal fan' Ollie Watkins to Arsenal—everyone goes home happy.”

A third reacted to the news of Rashford’s loan switch to Villa by tweeting: “This can only mean Watkins to Arsenal. Dominoes effect! Wow I'm not sad maybe he will get his head around things and come back bigger and better!”

© IMAGO - Ollie Watkins in action for England

Arsenal told to bid £100m for Watkins

Mikel Arteta, who says he is “confident” Arsenal are doing everything they can to land a striker before the transfer deadline, has been told to put in a massive bid for Watkins for the sake of the club’s title hopes.

“Ollie Watkins fits the bill. That's a great signing, if they can get him or Alexander Isak they tick the box. But you don't want to enter the market and sign someone for £30m to £40m who fits the gap for now and then at the end of the season you're stuck with that player,” Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson said.

“I still don't think the Watkins saga is finished just yet. I know Emery said he's happy but you don't need to say anything. There's more to come for that before Monday.

“You have to weigh it up. I would be shocked if Arsenal didn't get Watkins because it's a bit embarrassing if you put in a bid for someone and you don't get him.

“No disrespect, he's at Aston Villa and Arsenal are coming for you. Arsenal are that next level for Watkins and he supports them as a fan.

“Watkins has played for this league, scores goals and plays for England. It just fits. And he hits the ground running for the next three or four months and gives Arsenal the opportunity of winning the Premier League.

“I hear Arsenal fans say he's 29. Who cares? It's for now, next year and the year after. After that, it doesn't matter. Put in £100m! If they do that, I'd be shocked if Villa turned that down!”