move away from Aston Villa before 3 February, sources have told Football Insider.
Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, senior correspondent Pete O’Rourke revealed that the 29-year-old is a boyhood fan of the Gunners and they are attempting to “play on his heartstrings” to get a move over the line.
This comes after The Athletic reported Arsenal made a £60million bid for the striker, which was dismissed by Unai Emery’s side as they are determined to keep him at the club.
Former Man United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that the North London club are accelerating their transfer plans at this stage after “crisis” talks.
However, their bid is said to have come as a surprise to Villa, who were unhappy with the timing of the offer on the eve of their Champions League clash with Celtic.
Following the departure of Jhon Duran, the club are now set to refuse any talk surrounding Watkins’ exit and have no intention of letting him leave.
Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins is at the center of a transfer storm after Arsenal lodged a surprise £60million bid for his services. The Gunners’ offer has caught Villa off guard, with manager Unai Emery keen to keep the 27-year-old at the club.
However, Arsenal’s move may have struck a chord with Watkins, who has previously revealed that playing for the Gunners is his “dream” move. Back in 2020, while still at Brentford, Watkins expressed his admiration for Arsenal, stating that he had grown up supporting the club.
Arsenal’s bid is seen as a clever move by the Gunners, who are attempting to exploit Watkins’ childhood dreams and lure him away from Villa Park. The North London club is eager to strengthen its attacking options, and Watkins’ impressive form for Villa has caught the eye of Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta.
Watkins has been in fine form for Villa this season, scoring crucial goals and establishing himself as one of the Premier League’s top strikers. His performances have not gone unnoticed, with Arsenal joining a host of top clubs in pursuit of his signature.
While Villa is keen to keep Watkins, the club may struggle to resist Arsenal’s offer. The Gunners’ bid is reportedly worth £60million, a significant sum that would be difficult for Villa
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