Aston Villa reject £60m bid from Arsenal for Ollie Watkins

Aston Villa have rejected an offer in the region of £60m from Arsenal for Ollie Watkins.

Mikel Arteta is desperate to bring in a centre-forward before the transfer deadline and Arsenal have now made a move for Watkins.

According to Fabrizio Romano, Villa have refused the proposal and are understood to be unhappy with the timing of the bid, ahead of the club’s crucial Champions League contest with Celtic this evening.

Watkins has scored 80 goals in 200 appearances for Aston Villa since joining the club from Brentford in 2020. Last season, the England international scored 19 league goals and led the Premier League for assists as Villa secured Champions League qualification.

The 28-year-old grew up an Arsenal supporter and declared his desire to play for the Gunners earlier in his career.

Arsenal want to bring in a forward amid injuries to Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus. The latter is out for the campaign with an ACL injury, leaving Kai Havertz as the club’s only recognised option at number nine.

Discussing potential additions this month, Arteta said on Friday: “We lost two very important players in Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus, so we lack goals, people, and options in the front line.

“It’s clear that for the period that we have lost them, ideally we need some help, because we were short already and we’re even shorter. The team has still coped with that but we have do what is right for the club.

“If we can get the right player, that’s what we are actively looking at, but any player – no, we need someone that makes us better and makes an impact on the team.

“We have very, very short numbers for many, many weeks and they recognise the situation, we all do. That’s why we are trying to do what is right for the club, the team, that’s our intention.”

Watkins has shared his minutes at Aston Villa this season with Jhon Duran, though the latter is also subject of interest this month. West Ham have had a £59m offer turned down for the Colombia international, while Al Nassr are working on a deal to sign the 21-year-old.

Read – A brilliant XI of the Premier League’s best ever January signings

See more – Champions League: What each Premier League club needs to do on final matchday

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