Ollie Watkins: Aston Villa reject Arsenal strategy for striker

Aston Villa have rejected an strategy from Arsenal for England striker Ollie Watkins.

Sources confirmed to PJDM Sport the Gunners made their enquiry for the 29-year-old on Monday.

Experiences of a £60m Arsenal bid first surfaced simply hours earlier than Aston Villa’s Champions League win over Celtic on Wednesday evening at Villa Park.

Watkins began and scored, but in addition slipped to overlook a weird penalty within the second half.

Villa sources say they don’t have any intention of permitting Watkins to go away, particularly with continued hypothesis linking fellow striker Jhon Duran with a transfer to Saudi Arabia membership Al Nassr.

Sources additionally advised PJDM Sport that Villa are sad with the timing of the strategy, which got here within the build-up to a key Champions League fixture and per week earlier than January’s switch deadline day.

It isn’t clear if Arsenal will return with additional affords earlier than Monday’s 23:00 GMT deadline.

Talking after the 4-2 win over Celtic, Villa supervisor Unai Emery stated he “didn’t know” if Duran was leaving however – referencing a reported bid from a Saudi Professional League membership – he stated: “If he is leaving it is excellent news for us as a result of they’re paying good cash and we developed him in two years”.

On Watkins, Emery added: “I do not need. Each participant might be out there in case it is good for the participant, the membership and the crew. However to get this deal we’re going to be very demanding as nicely and Watkins is our striker.”

Requested concerning the timing of Arsenal’s strategy, Emery replied: “For me it would not matter… it is most vital how the gamers reply. We have now a number of hypothesis across the gamers within the squad however they’re displaying us they’re mature and accountable.”