Arsenal’s bid to sign striker Ollie Watkins has been rejected by Aston Villa.
The North London club who have been linked with a number of strikers in the current window offered ₤62.5 million for the England international but this was immediately rejected by the West Midlands club. They were unhappy about the timing of the news of the bid hours before their vital Champions League group match with Celtic, which they won. Watkins, himself, had a mixed night, scoring a goal and providing an assist, but also missing a penalty.
The 29-year old, who is a boyhood Arsenal fan, has scored ten goals this season, and Villa are determined to hang on to him, although the Gunners do intend to submit an improved bid before the window closes.
Watkins is under contract until 2028 at Villa Park, so there is no pressure to sell one of their prized assets to one of their Premier League rivals.
Cynics might argue it is an attempt by the Arsenal hierarchy to show to the fanbase that they did try and fix their striker problem in the window, even if that was ultimately unsuccessful.
