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What Arsenal now believe about Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins as second bid readied

Srinivas Sadhanand

Thu 30 January 2025 9:15, UK

TBR Football can exclusively reveal that Arsenal are prepared to launch a second bid to sign Ollie Watkins from Aston Villa this January.

Aston Villa rejected Arsenal’s initial bid for Watkins worth £60 million.

In fact, Aston Villa were “furious” about Arsenal’s bid for Watkins due to two reasons: firstly, because the Gunners’ approach was made on the eve of a crucial Champions League clash against Celtic which they eventually won 4-2.

Secondly, Unai Emery’s side felt Mikel Arteta and Co made the approach to unsettle Ollie Watkins.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
1	LiverpoolLiverpool	22	16	5	1	54	21	33	53
2	ArsenalArsenal	23	13	8	2	44	21	23	47
3	Nottm ForestNottingham Forest	23	13	5	5	33	27	6	44
4	Man CityManchester City	23	12	5	6	47	30	17	41
5	NewcastleNewcastle	23	12	5	6	41	27	14	41
6	ChelseaChelsea	23	11	7	5	45	30	15	40
7	B’mouthBournemouth	23	11	7	5	41	26	15	40
8	Aston VillaAston Villa	23	10	7	6	34	35	-1	37

Arsenal believe Ollie Watkins is keen on move as they prepare second bid

Sources have told TBR Football’s chief correspondent Graeme Bailey that Arsenal believe Watkins is keen on a move to the Emirates Stadium — prompting them to submit a bid for him in the first place.

TBR Football understands that as Mikel Arteta’s side are preparing a second bid for Watkins, who Thierry Henry raved about, Arsenal of the belief that they have the finances to up their initial £60 million offer.

However, Jhon Duran has agreed a move to Al-Nassr — which makes it difficult for the North London club to attain the England international’s services.

TBR Football have been informed that Aston Villa have no intention to let both Duran and Watkins, who garnered praise from Declan Rice leave in the same window — leaving them with no established strikers to choose from.

Unai Emery hints Ollie Watkins is staying at Aston Villa amid Arsenal interest

Unai Emery was asked about Watkins’ future after a Morgan Rogers-inspired Aston Villa side beat Celtic in style on Wednesday night.

Emery definitively replied, saying: “Watkins is our striker.”

Watkins, who Ian Wright eyed at Arsenal (15) back in 2021 has more combined goal contributions in the Premier League than both Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus (13) this season.

With the former Brentford marksman outscoring and providing more league assists than both of Arsenal’s current strikers, their keenness in snapping him up is understandable.