Arsenal given Watkins hope as Arteta pursues 'NOW OR NEVER' deal

Cameron Smith

3 Feb 2025 09:37 GMT
3 min read

Ollie Watkins, Mikel Arteta, Arsenal — © IMAGO

Arsenal remain interested in finalising a deal for Aston Villa forward Ollie Watkins before the end of Transfer Deadline Day.

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The Gunners lodged an enquiry to sign Watkins last week, but their initial offer of €48 million (£40m) was immediately rebuffed by Unai Emery’s side.

Villa have already sold Jhon Duran to Saudi Arabia for €77m and despite the January arrivals of Donyell Malen and Marcus Rashford (loan), they reportedly aren’t willing to sell Watkins.

However, The Independent have revealed that Villa are struggling to stay within the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules, which has encouraged Arsenal to seriously pursue a late deal for Watkins.

Furthermore, the report states that the England international could be available for around €72m (£60m).

Watkins is now 29 years old and The Independent have claimed that a move to Arsenal is “now or never” as the Gunners are likely to pursue a deal for a younger player, such as Benjamin Sesko, this summer.

Unai Emery on Arsenal’s interest in Ollie Watkins

Although Arsenal are reportedly hoping to complete a deal for Watkins on Deadline Day, Emery believes the Englishman is happy at Villa Park.

Ahead of Aston Villa’s Premier League clash against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday, Emery was asked whether Watkins is eager to remain at the club.

“Yes, he is happy to stay,” Emery replied (as per BBC Sport). “You can ask him, but we asked him how he is feeling every day, every year he has been here with Aston Villa, with us and without us.

“The commitment of Ollie Watkins with us is a huge commitment. He appreciates a lot how Aston Villa was always supporting him, helping him, and when we joined him here two years ago, how we worked with him, always trying to get the best of him.

Current ETV

Ollie Watkins

F (C)

Aston Villa

Ollie Watkins

F (C)

Aston Villa

ETV Range

€43.9M - €73.1M

“Now we need him, like he needed Aston Villa. The conversation we are having usually, I am speaking with him a lot, he is always adapting to every circumstance we have in the squad and individually with him.”

Emery added: “When there are some teams calling us being interested in the players, of course it is very good for us and very good for the players.

“Some players prefer to leave and some players accept to stay here, to be here and commit with us here and to be with our challenge. One of those is Ollie Watkins.”