Arsenal have made an unexpected move to sign Ollie Watkins before the January transfer window closes, according to talkSPORT.
However, Aston Villa have turned down their initial approach. While the exact value of Arsenal’s opening bid is unclear, the club is prepared to increase their offer, potentially reaching up to £60 million.
Watkins, a lifelong Arsenal fan, is reportedly open to the transfer if a deal can be agreed between the two clubs.
Villa, however, are unhappy with the timing of Arsenal’s interest, as they focus on their Champions League clash with Celtic. The club has no plans to sell Watkins this window but now faces a challenge in retaining both of their key strikers.
Meanwhile, Jhon Duran has reached an agreement with Al Nassr, though the Saudi club is also considering Bayer Leverkusen’s Victor Boniface as an alternative.
Securing a deal for the 29-year-old forward is proving difficult, but Premier League clubs have until 11 p.m. on Monday to finalize transfers before the window closes.
According to talkSPORT, Duran is more likely to depart than Watkins in this window.
Watkins, who joined Villa in 2020, has more than three years left on his contract, which was extended in October 2023 with an option to run until the summer of 2029.
So far this season, he has scored ten goals and provided five assists in 23 league appearances under Unai Emery.
Former Chelsea striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink has backed Arsenal’s pursuit of Watkins. Speaking on Drive, he said: “I can see why Arsenal want him. They need goals, and he thrives on scoring.”
However, Hasselbaink is skeptical that Villa will sanction the move. “I can’t see it happening. If it does, it would suggest Villa lack ambition to stay in the top four. They’re still in the Champions League and will want to keep their best players.”
Arsenal’s interest in Watkins comes as Mikel Arteta faces a shortage of options up front. Gabriel Jesus is sidelined for the season with an anterior cruciate ligament injury, ruling him out until at least November.
This leaves Kai Havertz as Arsenal’s only senior striker, though he is often used in a deeper role by Arteta.
As a result, the club has been actively exploring striker signings in recent weeks. They have shown interest in Newcastle’s Alexander Isak, who was on their radar during his time at Real Sociedad.
Benjamin Sesko and Viktor Gyokeres are also among Arsenal’s targets, while January deals for Bryan Mbeumo and Dusan Vlahovic seem increasingly unlikely as the deadline nears.