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Aston Villa ‘furious’ after Arsenal launch bid for Ollie Watkins

Giuseppe Labellarte

Wed 29 January 2025 18:17, UK Updated Thu 30 January 2025 15:33, UK

TBR Football can exclusively confirm that Aston Villa are ‘furious’ after Arsenal launched a bid for Ollie Watkins.

The Gunners have been in pursuit of attacking reinforcements in the January transfer window in wake of Gabriel Jesus’ s൩eason-ending injur𓄧y.

On Wednesday, it was revealed that Arsenal submitted an offer worth £60million for Watkins, who has once again been in great form for Aston Villa this term.

Now, TBR Football can reveal why the Villans have been left so angry with the Gunners’ 𓄧🐭approach.

READ MORE: Arsenal told £30m striker they’ve approached is t🔯he ‘complete package’ and could be perfect for them

Aston Villa furious over timing of Arsenal bid for Ollie Watkins amid fear of unsettling player

TBR Football chief correspondent Graeme Bailey understands Aston Villa are furious with Arsenal after their £60million bid for Ollie Watkins.

We are told t🍌he offer was rejected straight awಞay and Villa made it clear how unhappy they were with it.

Firstly, the Villans are unhappy over the timing of the offer, on the eve of their 𒅌crucial Champions League game against Celtic.

Secondl✅y, Villa firmly believe it has been done to unsettle the player.

What Watkins previously said about Arsenal

In 2020, boyhood Gunners fan Watkins told the Sports 🥀Gazette how he dreamt of playing for A🌳rsenal one day.

“That’s the dream, to play for Arsenal one day. But, you know, it🍌’s a long shot,” Watkins said at the 2🐷020 London Football Awards ceremony.

With just a few days un⛦til the January transfer window shuts, Villa will be eager to hang on to Watkins as they pursue their goals for the season.

The V🐻illans are still very much in the picture for both the✤ Premier League’s top four and the last 16 of the Champions League.

However, Villa’s hopes of automatic qualifications are not in their hands. They must beat Celtic and hop🃏e that other results go their way.

Watkins, who has registered 10 goals and eight💎 assists in all competitions for Vill🍸a this season, will be crucial with regards to the club achieving their goals this term.