Aston Villa has firmly decided not to part ways with their star striker Ollie Watkins amid looming interest from Arsenal. Watkins, who has become the Premier League's ninth-top goalscorer this season with ten goals from 23 appearances, remains a key player for Villa. The decision follows the impending transfer of Jhon Duran to Al Nassr, leaving Watkins as the club's only recognized centre-forward.
Arsenal, having expressed interest earlier this week, held talks with Villa regarding the potential acquisition of Watkins. The discussions were initiated in the backdrop of uncertainty surrounding Duran's departure. Despite Watkins being a lifelong Arsenal supporter and expressing his dream of playing for the club, Villa boss Unai Emery is keen on retaining his star forward.
"I don't want [him to leave]. It is good news to have an offer from other clubs, or interest, it is good. But we want to keep our sporting objective through the players we have in the squad." – Unai Emery
Watkins' admiration for Arsenal is well-documented. He grew up idolizing Thierry Henry and has openly shared his aspirations to don the Arsenal jersey one day.
"The dream is to play for Arsenal one day but it's a long shot. My family support them and stuff like that but that's the long term." – Ollie Watkins
"Thierry Henry, as an Arsenal fan, was unbelievable to watch. He was my idol growing up." – Ollie Watkins
The timing of Arsenal's interest coincided with Villa's preparation for a crucial Champions League match against Celtic, which reportedly left the Villa camp displeased. The club values Watkins at £60 million, while Arsenal's initial valuation stands at £40 million, though they have shown willingness to negotiate.
In addition to his club commitments, Watkins has showcased his prowess on the international stage. He has scored five goals in 18 appearances for England, including a memorable winner in the Euro 2024 semi-final against the Netherlands.
While Watkins has completed a medical in London and is set to fly to Saudi Arabia by the weekend, his immediate future with Aston Villa remains unchanged. Villa's decision reflects their strategic intent to maintain stability within their squad amidst significant transitions.
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