Ollie Watkins makes Arsenal January transfer decision

Ollie Watkins has strongly been linked with a move to Arsenal and the England international has reportedly make a decision.

After weeks of speculations, Arsenal submitted an official bid to Villa, hoping for Watkins to bolster Mikel Arteta’s depleted attacking options, but were knocked back.

The offer, which is believed to be worth around £60m, was rejected by Aston Villa. Arsenal are expected to follow-up with another bid.

With Arsenal eager to win their first Premier League title since 2004 and a run in the Champions League, Watkins has been identified as a valuable asset to the current squad.

Latest report from the Daily Mail has now claimed Watkins is interested in a move to the Emirates Stadium and would readily agree terms with Arsenal should they make a breakthrough in talks with Villa.

Watkins supported Arsenal growing up and revealed earlier in his career that it is his ‘dream’ to play for the Gunners.

Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa during the Premier League match between Aston Villa FC and West Ham United FC (Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images)

With Brazilian forward Gabriel Jesus currently out due to a season-ending injury he suffered earlier in the month, Watkins will strengthen an Arsenal squad that currently rely on goals from Kai Havertz.

Watkins would likely immediately displace current first-choice Arsenal striker Kai Havertz who seems to have lost his scoring boot in the number nine position.

The England international has scored 81 goals in 201 appearances for Aston Villa, with 27 of those coming during a hugely impressive 2023-24 campaign. He was also part of the England squad that reached Euro 2024 final.

Watkins is currently the only senior forward in Aston Villa after the club accepted Saudi Arabia side Al Nassr offer for Jhon Duran.

Duran’s imminent departure will make Unai Emery even more desperate to keep hold of Watkins and Aston Villa have not indicated to Arsenal a fee that would change their transfer stance.

However, according to The Telegraph, Villa Park bosses privately value Watkins at more than £80m, meaning it would take a huge bid from Arsenal to even convince them to sell.