Aston Villa are standing firm in their determination to reject Arsenal’s continued interest in star striker Ollie Watkins. The Midlands club were left unimpressed by the Gunners’ initial £60 million bid, not just due to the valuation but also because of the timing of the leaks, which coincided with Villa’s crucial Champions League fixture.
Unai Emery remains adamant about keeping Watkins at Villa Park, viewing him as an integral part of the club’s long-term ambitions. Instead, the club has shifted focus to offloading Jhon Durán, with Al Nassr emerging as a potential destination for the Colombian forward.
Despite Villa’s reluctance to sell, Arsenal remain persistent in their pursuit of Watkins and are expected to submit an improved offer in the coming hours. The North London club are keen to bolster their attacking options as they push for Premier League and European success.
The next phase of negotiations will be crucial in determining whether Arsenal can convince Villa to part ways with their star striker. However, one thing is clear—Aston Villa have no intention of accepting a cut-price deal and remain firm in their valuation of Watkins.