Aston Villa faces a tumultuous January transfer window as speculation swirls around two of its key strikers. The Birmingham-based club has rejected a bid from Arsenal for Ollie Watkins while reportedly agreeing to a deal worth over £64 million to send Jhon Duran to Al Nassr. This comes as Villa navigates the complexities of maintaining a competitive squad in the Premier League and beyond.
Aston Villa's sporting director, Simon Rolfes, has made it clear that Victor Bonifca will likely remain with the team, signaling the club's intent to hold onto its core players. Meanwhile, Ollie Watkins has emerged as a critical figure in Villa’s offensive lineup. With ten goals to his name this season, Watkins ranks as the ninth-top goalscorer in the Premier League. The striker's impressive form has not gone unnoticed, prompting Arsenal to make a bid in the ongoing transfer window.
Despite his allegiance to Arsenal as a fan, Watkins finds himself at the center of Villa’s strategic plans under head coach Unai Emery. Emery has expressed a preference for Watkins as his main striker, reinforcing the club's stance that Watkins is not for sale. This position suggests that a deal involving Watkins is improbable before the transfer window closes. Emery's commitment to nurturing and retaining talent echoes his earlier sentiments about the club's broader objectives.
"The club is working, we have to be competitive, of course we are developing players and increasing our objective, increasing our target, playing Champions League." – Unai Emery
While Arsenal’s pursuit of Watkins seems to have hit a dead end, Al Nassr is on the brink of securing Jhon Duran. The Colombian striker has been linked with a move to the Saudi Arabian club, with reports indicating that he will undergo a medical examination in London on Thursday. Despite being an unused substitute in Villa's recent Champions League victory over Celtic, Duran has made notable contributions this season with seven Premier League goals in 20 appearances.
The potential departure of Duran would mark a significant transaction for Aston Villa. Earlier this month, West Ham had a £57 million bid for Duran turned down, highlighting the high regard in which the player is held. Al Nassr’s willingness to offer over £64 million underscores their determination to bring Duran on board.
Villa fans have witnessed Duran’s development over his tenure at the club, with Emery acknowledging the broader context of player transfers.
"If he is leaving it is because it is a good deal for us. Because we have developed a young player in two years. It is not only club, it [has to work for] club, player and team." – Unai Emery
The move for Duran coincides with Aston Villa's dismissal of Arsenal’s bid for Watkins, reflecting the club's strategy of reinforcing its lineup while capitalizing on lucrative offers. As the transfer window remains active, Aston Villa continues to balance player retention with opportunities for strategic sales.
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