Ollie Watkins makes Arsenal transfer decision as Aston Villa’s valuation is revealed

Ollie Watkins is ‘open’ to joining Arsenal earlier the transportation deadline if Aston Villa backmost down and hold a woody with the Gunners.

The aboriginal of England striker Watkins looks acceptable to beryllium 1 of the biggest talking points successful the last fewer days of the transportation model aft helium was the subject of a big-money connection from Arsenal.

Arsenal submitted an authoritative bid to Villa, hoping for Watkins to bolster Mikel Arteta’s depleted attacking options, but were knocked back.

The northbound London club, eyeing a archetypal Premier League rubric since 2004 and a tally successful the Champions League, are expected to marque an improved bid and person been buoyed by Watkins’ effect to the transportation speculation.

According to the Daily Mail, Watkins is funny successful a determination to the Emirates Stadium and would readily hold presumption with Arsenal should they marque a breakthrough successful talks with Villa.

Watkins supported Arsenal increasing up and revealed earlier successful his vocation that it is his ‘dream’ to play for the Gunners.

The 29-year-old would fortify an Arsenal squad that lost Gabriel Jesus to a season-ending wounded earlier successful the month.

Watkins would apt instantly displace existent first-choice Arsenal striker Kai Havertz, who has struggled with consistency since his £65m determination from Chelsea.

A member of England’s Euro 2024 squad, Watkins has scored 81 goals successful 201 appearances for Aston Villa, with 27 of those coming during a hugely awesome 2023-24 campaign.

The ex-Brentford prima added to his tally connected Wednesday nighttime arsenic Aston Villa concluded their Champions League radical run with an entertaining triumph implicit Celtic.

Aston Villa rejected an connection for Watkins earlier chap striker Jhon Duran was closing successful connected a big-money determination to the Saudi Pro League.

Duran’s imminent departure volition marque Unai Emery adjacent much hopeless to support clasp of Watkins and Aston Villa person not indicated to Arsenal a interest that would alteration their transportation stance.

However, according to The Telegraph, Villa Park bosses privately worth Watkins astatine much than £80m, meaning it would instrumentality a immense bid from Arsenal to adjacent person them to sell.

Addressing the speculation surrounding Watkins aft Villa bushed Celtic, Emery – formerly of Arsenal – said: ‘I don’t privation him to beryllium sold.

‘It’s bully quality to person offers from different clubs. Every subordinate tin beryllium successful the marketplace successful lawsuit it’s bully for the player, nine and the team.

‘But to get this deal, of people we are going to beryllium precise demanding and Watkins is our striker.’

Aston Villa look section rivals Wolves connected Saturday portion Arsenal instrumentality connected Manchester City this weekend earlier nine bosses tin absorption wholly connected Monday’s transportation deadline day.

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