Ollie Watkins transfer: Aston Villa boss Unai Emery reveals forward is 'happy' to stay after Arsenal bid
Unai Emery has confirmed Ollie Watkins is "happy" at Aston Villa after Arsenal saw a bid rejected for the player; Villa do not want to sell Watkins as Jhon Duran completes a £64m move to Saudi Arabia
Friday 31 January 2025 19:42, UK
Unai Emery has confirmed Ollie Watkins is "happy" to stay at Aston Villa after the club rejected a bid from Arsenal for the striker.
Arsenal have had a bid for Watkins knocked back and, with his fellow striker Jhon Duran completing a move Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr on Friday night, Villa will not allow the England international to also leave before Monday night's deadline.
Watkins started and scored in the recent 4-2 win against Celtic in the Champions League on Wednesday evening, where the forward tapped the badge after celebrating his 11th goal of the season across all competitions in front of the Holte End.
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"Yes, he is happy to stay. We asked him how he is feeling and he is happy here," Emery said when asked about Watkins' future ahead of the game against Wolves, live on Saturday Night Football.
"The commitment of Watkins is really a huge commitment to defend Aston Villa.
"He appreciates how Aston Villa was always supporting him and helping him. Also, when we joined two years ago, how we always tried to get the best of him."
Arteta refuses to discuss Watkins bid
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta refused to comment on Arsenal's interest in Watkins but admits the club are working hard to bring in a striker before the end of the January transfer window.
He said at his pre-match press conference on Friday: "I'm not going to talk about any individuals. We are actively looking to find a solution in that position and we will see what the market brings.
"I'm very confident with the work the club is doing, exploring every single opportunity that can have an impact on the team. If we can agree something we will. If we can't, we won't.
"We are trying everything that we can, but I don't want to give any reassurance or not. It doesn't depend only on us. Our intentions are clear but the possibilities are affected by three parties."
Merson tells Arsenal: Put in £100m for Watkins!
Sky Sports' Paul Merson on the Transfer Show:
"I wouldn't say: forget about the title if Arsenal don't sign a striker. But you don't want it to come back and bite you.
"Liverpool can still have a blip, I can't see them going the whole season like they are now at the moment. But you don't want to panic.
"Ollie Watkins fits the bill. That's a great signing, if they can get him or Alexander Isak they tick the box. But you don't want to enter the market and sign someone for £30m to £40m who fits the gap for now and then at the end of the season you're stuck with that player.
"I still don't think the Watkins saga is finished just yet. I know Emery said he's happy but you don't need to say anything. There's more to come for that before Monday.
"You have to weigh it up. I would be shocked if Arsenal didn't get Watkins because it's a bit embarrassing if you put in a bid for someone and you don't get him.
"No disrespect, he's at Aston Villa and Arsenal are coming for you. Arsenal are that next level for Watkins and he supports them as a fan.
"For me, you can't keep on rushing in and buying Tom, Dick or Harry. And it's hard to play for Arsenal, you can't buy anyone. You've seen that with Rasmus Hojlund at Manchester United, it's hard to play for these big clubs. You're highlighted, you're under pressure from the word go.
"But Watkins has played for this league, scores goals and plays for England. It just fits. And he hits the ground running for the next three or four months and gives Arsenal the opportunity of winning the Premier League.
"I hear Arsenal fans say he's 29. Who cares? It's for now, next year and the year after. After that, it doesn't matter. Put in £100m! If they do that, I'd be shocked if Villa turned that down!"
Emery: Interest in our players is good news
Meanwhile, as he did after the win against Celtic, Emery has insisted that other clubs taking an interest in his players is a good thing rather than a negative so close to the end of the window.
"When some teams are calling us being interested in the players, it is good for us and the players.
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"Some players prefer to leave and some players accept to stay here and commit to Aston Villa and compete for our challenges. One of them is Ollie Watkins.
"Now we need him, like he needed Aston Villa in the last years. The conversation we are having usually is about how he is always adapting to every circumstance."
Attention turns to Felix and Asensio
While the main talking point surrounding Villa has been outgoings in recent days, the club are still working diligently behind the scenes to improve the squad Emery has at his disposal.
Sky Sports News understands the club are lining up potential replacements for Duran and Villa's president of football operations, Monchi, has confirmed their interest in Chelsea's Joao Felix and Paris Saint-Germain forward Marco Asensio.
The Spaniard told Spanish television channel Cope on Thursday night: "They are similar players who Unai Emery likes.
"Asensio was tried by Aston Villa before I arrived. Last summer we were close to Joao. Neither of them are easy because in terms of salary and cost they are not simple.
"If there is a coach in world football who recovers players, it is Unai Emery. He has been able to recover talents.
"Joao Felix has talent and it is only a matter of finding the right environment to bring out the best version of himself. Unai works very well on that."
Villa will not part ways with Duran AND Watkins
Latest from Sky Sports News' Dharmesh Sheth and Lyall Thomas:
Villa are not prepared to sell Watkins to Arsenal with Duran signing for Al Nassr.
Arsenal held talks with Villa over the potential sale of Watkins earlier this week - but Villa do not want to sell both strikers in the same window.
Duran has completed his move to Saudi, leaving Watkins the only recognised centre-forward at the club.
Villa were angered hours before their Champions League clash at home to Celtic on Wednesday as reports of Arsenal's talks for Watkins emerged.
Villa boss Unai Emery was asked about it after the 4-2 win at Villa Park and said: "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.
"Every player can be in the market in case it is good for the club, the player and the team - but to get this deal of course we are going to be very demanding as well and Watkins is our striker."
The talks for Watkins are believed to have started while there was still some uncertainty about Duran's departure.
It is not clear who initiated contact, but one source has told Sky Sports News that the chance to sign Watkins was proposed to Arsenal.
Arsenal value him at £40m - but the source claimed £60m was Villa's valuation - and the feeling is any potential deal would have required Villa to reduce their valuation.
Arsenal's long-term interest in Watkins remains, but the departure of Duran means he is now expected to stay in this window.
