Arsenal are determined to land Ollie Watkins and play to his ‘heartstrings’ to seal the deal, but Unai Emery’s comments paint a different picture.
According to Football Insider, Arsenal are ready to make another late push to land Ollie Watkins and play to his ‘heartstrings’ in an attempt to lure the striker. Aston Villa have already rejected a bid, and Unai Emery’s latest comments on the 29-year-old will dampen the Gunners’ confidence in the chase.
Arsenal put in a surprise bid to sign Ollie Watkins on Wednesday, right on the eve of Aston Villa’s crucial UEFA Champions League game against Celtic. The offer was rejected out of hand, and while the Gunners have stayed confident of signing the 29-year-old, Aston Villa have been left furious by the timing of the proposal as well as the offer in itself.
Arsenal are expected to return with an improved offer, and it remains to be seen whether they go as far as what Aston Villa want or make minor improvements on the reported £60 million they previously bid. In any case, it is clear what the Gunners are looking for and have put the idea that they have the money out in the open.
The more important factor the report states is the idea that Watkins views this as a dream move of sorts. The 29-year-old Aston Villa star is known to be a boyhood fan of the Gunners, which has led to suggestions he is open to joining Arsenal, although his club are determined to keep him.
The Gunners are eager to play to the 29-year-old Aston Villa star’s ‘heartstrings’ to convince him of a move late in the window. It remains to be seen whether they are successful in that attempt, especially after Emery’s comments on the striker.
Watkins committed to Aston Villa?
Fabrizio Romano’s post on X ran comments from Emery on the Watkins situation. The Aston Villa boss said, “There are players who prefer to leave… then some players commit to us here, and one of them is Ollie Watkins. He’s happy to stay at Aston Villa.”
That statement in itself is a big indicator of the 29-year-old’s liklihood to stay put and continue with the season with Aston Villa. Moreover, the club have already agreed to sell Jhon Duran to Al-Nassr, and it will be unprecedented to lose two key strikers in the space of a few days.
As for Arsenal, they are probably hanging on to hope, and any move for Watkins will depend on Aston Villa signing a new striker. Moreover, things could also swing in the Gunners’ favour should they land a favourable bid. However, as things stand, Watkins is leaning towards a stay at Aston Villa for the foreseeable future.