Arsenal Close to Signing Ollie Watkins from Aston Villa for £60m + £5m Add-ons
Arsenal is on the verge of securing a deal for Ollie Watkins from Aston Villa in a transfer worth £60 million, with an additional £5 million in performance-related add-ons. After initial discussions and rejections, the two clubs have reportedly come to an agreement, and the deal is now in its final stages, with an official announcement expected soon.
Ollie Watkins’ Reaction to Arsenal’s Late Bid
Watkins has long been a fan of Arsenal and has always dreamed of playing for the club. His hopes were raised after Arsenal made a significant late bid, following a rejection of their earlier offer of €48 million (£40 million) by Villa. The initial bid was turned down by Villa, particularly after they received a much larger sum for Jhon Durán, who moved to Al-Nassr in Saudi Arabia for €80 million.
Despite the disappointment of the rejection, reports indicate that Watkins remains open to the move and is still hopeful of joining his boyhood club. Now, with Arsenal preparing to offer a more substantial €72 million (£60 million), the situation is looking more promising for the striker. This bid is much closer to Watkins’ Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) of €65.8 million, increasing the likelihood that Villa will accept the offer.
Uncertainty Over Villa’s Plans
The deal’s progression may still hinge on whether Villa manager Unai Emery believes he can rely on Marcus Rashford to lead the attack or if he can bring in another forward option before the transfer window closes. Villa may also be assessing potential replacements for Watkins, with Emery weighing his options carefully.
Arsenal’s Backup Plans
If the second offer fails to secure Watkins, there remains uncertainty over whether Arsenal will make another attempt in the summer. Manager Mikel Arteta is also reportedly targeting other forwards, including RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko and Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyokeres, which could lead to Watkins missing out on this potential move.
For Ollie Watkins, this is likely seen as a significant opportunity to join Arsenal—his childhood club—and he is eager to seize the chance. This may be his only shot at joining the Premier League giants, adding to the pressure to get the deal over the line before the deadline.
What Lies Ahead for Watkins
As the January transfer window draws to a close, all eyes will be on Aston Villa’s decision regarding Watkins‘ future. If the move to Arsenal materializes, it will mark a major step in his career, aligning his personal ambitions with his footballing dreams. If it falls through, Watkins may have to wait until the summer for another opportunity to make the move.
