Arsenal’s search for a new striker has led them to Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins, but reports suggest their initial bid was far below expectations, causing frustration within the Villa camp.
With Gabriel Jesus and Bukayo Saka injured, Mikel Arteta has made it clear that the Gunners are actively seeking attacking reinforcements this January. While Dusan Vlahovic (Juventus) and Benjamin Sesko (RB Leipzig) have been linked with moves to the Emirates, the interest in Watkins has intensified in recent days.
🔍 Arsenal’s Initial Offer & Villa’s Strong Rejection
The Daily Mail first broke the news that Arsenal had submitted an offer for Ollie Watkins, but it wasn’t until later that Fabrizio Romano claimed the bid was around £60 million—a figure that Aston Villa immediately rejected.
However, The Times and The Telegraph later clarified the details:
✅ Arsenal’s actual initial bid was closer to £40m-£45m, far below Villa’s asking price.
✅ Aston Villa reportedly values Watkins at over £80m and refuses to sell their star forward.
✅ Villa were angered by Arsenal’s approach, especially considering Jhon Duran’s pending £64.5m (€77m) transfer to Al Nassr.
With Duran set to leave, Villa’s priority is strengthening their attack, not losing their top scorer.
🔥 Why Aston Villa Won’t Sell Watkins
Watkins has been instrumental in Villa’s resurgence under Unai Emery. The 29-year-old striker has been in red-hot form, leading Villa’s charge in both the Premier League and Champions League qualification race.
📊 Watkins’ 2024/25 Season Stats (All Competitions):
| Stat | Number |
|---|---|
| Goals | 17 |
| Assists | 7 |
| Expected Goals (xG) | 14.8 |
| Shot Accuracy | 62% |
🏆 Watkins’ Impact on Villa’s Success
🔹 Key man under Emery – Villa’s attack is built around his movement, link-up play, and goal-scoring ability.
🔹 Villa’s Champions League push – Losing Watkins could derail their ambitions of securing a top-four finish.
🔹 A new contract & commitment – Watkins signed a new deal in October 2023, making it even more difficult for Arsenal to negotiate a reasonable price.
Given his consistency and leadership, Villa view Watkins as irreplaceable, and rejecting Arsenal’s bid was an easy decision.
⚔️ Arsenal’s Striker Hunt: What’s Next?
With Villa unwilling to sell, Arsenal may now shift their focus back to other targets.
🔄 Arsenal’s Alternative Striker Options:
✅ Dusan Vlahovic (Juventus) – A long-term Arsenal target, but his price tag is hefty.
✅ Benjamin Sesko (RB Leipzig) – A younger, high-potential striker who fits Arteta’s system.
✅ Mathys Tel (Bayern Munich) – Another rising star, though heavily linked with Aston Villa and Tottenham.
Arsenal’s initial approach for Watkins may have failed, but their pursuit of a new No.9 is far from over.
🔮 What’s Next for Aston Villa?
Rather than selling Watkins, Villa is actively looking for attacking reinforcements. Reports suggest they are targeting:
⚡ Mathys Tel (Bayern Munich) – A highly-rated young forward.
⚡ Marco Asensio (PSG) – Experienced and versatile.
⚡ Joao Felix (Chelsea/Atletico Madrid) – A potential wildcard option.
With Duran heading to Saudi Arabia, Villa is prioritizing attacking depth, not selling their top scorer.
💭 Final Thoughts: Will Arsenal Come Back With a Bigger Offer?
While Arsenal’s bid for Watkins was swiftly rejected, there’s always the possibility of a higher bid before the transfer window closes. However, given Villa’s firm stance and high valuation, a deal looks unlikely unless Arsenal substantially increases their offer.
🔥 Do you think Arsenal should break the bank for Watkins, or should they move on to another striker? Let us know in the comments below! 👇
