Unai Emery has confirmed Ollie Watkins is “happy” to stay at Aston Villa after the club rejected a bid from Arsenal for the striker.
Sky Sports News reported on Wednesday that Arsenal had a bid for Watkins knocked back and, with his fellow striker Jhon Duran poised to move to Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr, 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.
“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.”
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Mikel Arteta remained tight-lipped on Arsenal’s reported interest of Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins and said he will not discuss details of any individual.
Emery: Interest in our players is good news
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.”
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Speaking in 2020, while at Brentford, Ollie Watkins said his dream as a Gunners fan would be to one day play for Arsenal.
Jhon Duran edges closer to Villa exit
Latest from Sky Sports News’ chief reporter Kaveh Solhekol:
Villa striker Jhon Duran has completed his Al Nassr medical and is set to fly to Saudi Arabia.
Al Nassr are understood to be paying just over £64m (€77m) plus bonuses for the 21-year-old. This deal is seen as an example of a new strategy to develop the Saudi Pro League.
The Saudis are now focused on singing young, developing players. They do not want to be regarded as a retirement home for ageing superstars.
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 on the verge of signing for Al Nassr.
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Sky Sports’ Kaveh Solhekol and Dharmesh Sheth provide the latest updates on Arsenal’s bid to sign Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins.
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 a medical in London and is then due to fly to Saudi Arabia by the weekend, 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).
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Aston Villa boss Unai Emery remained coy on whether strikers Jhon Duran and Ollie Watkins could both head for the exit door at Villa Park, stating that the interest in the pair is only ‘good news’ for the club.
“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 imminent departure of Duran means he is now expected to stay in this window.
