Watkins issues SHOCK response to Arsenal bid

Cameron Smith

31 Jan 2025 09:00 CST
3 min read

Aston Villa boss Unai Emery has claimed that Ollie Watkins wants to stay at the club, despite significant interest from Arsenal.

The England international is a boyhood Gunners fan and rumours of a move to the Emirates Stadium have ramped up following news that Arsenal are planning on submitting a second bid after an initial offer was turned down.

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However, Watkins is eager to snub Mikel Arteta’s side in favour of remaining at Villa Park for the foreseeable future.

The 29-year-old joined Aston Villa from Brentford for €34 million back in 2020 and he has scored 81 goals in 201 appearances for the club, while he has become a regular in England set-up during his time in the Midlands.

Aston Villa are determined to retain Watkins until the end of the January transfer window, amid Jhon Duran’s imminent move to Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr, and Emery believes his star striker remains committed to the cause.

Unai Emery responds to Arsenal’s interest in Ollie Watkins

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, despite Arsenal’s well-publicised interest.

“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.

“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.”

Current ETV

Ollie Watkins

F (C)

Aston Villa

Ollie Watkins

F (C)

Aston Villa

ETV Range

€43.9M - €73.1M

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.”