The big news ahead of the game was that Arsenal had a £60m bid for Ollie Watkins rejected by Aston Villa – who clinched a place in the top eight after beating Celtic 4-2 in Birmingham.
Second Arsenal bid ‘expected’ for Euro 2024 hero as ‘talks advancing’
Watkins has established himself as one of the Premier League’s best strikers and with Arsenal in need of goals, they have targeted a move for the England international. Watkins scored for Villa against Celtic on Wednesday while also missing a penalty as he slipped when hitting the ball. With Arsenal’s first bid rejected, the Daily Mail reports that an improved bid is expected from North London ahead of Monday’s 11pm transfer deadline.
I’m saying this now. If Arsenal sign Ollie Watkins this window.
Arsenal will win the Premier League this season. pic.twitter.com/c7IKz7UKzP
— AD🦋 (@ADViews_) January 29, 2025
“Because Unai Emery is in love with the player. And also those close to the player believe that Unai Emery could finally be the right coach to trust him, to play him consistently and show the excellent quality of Joao Felix. But, again, it’s not guaranteed.”
Watkins career so far
The 29-year-old from Torquay made his professional debut with Exeter City in 2014 before being snapped up by Brentford in 2017. Three years later, he joined Villa for a then club-record fee of £28m. He has scored 81 goals and provided 35 assists in 201 games for Villa and has 69 Premier League goals in 169 appearances in the competition – along with 31 assists.
