Arsenal's pursuit of Ollie Watkins has encountered a significant setback, with Aston Villa rejecting a £60 million bid for the forward. This development was reported by esteemed transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, who noted the Gunners' pressing need for attacking reinforcements, particularly in light of recent injury woes within their squad. Gabriel Jesus is expected to be sidelined for an extended period due to an ACL injury, while Bukayo Saka is recovering from hamstring surgery, which is likely to keep him out until March.
With Manchester City no longer in contention for the Premier League title, Arsenal's management is acutely aware of the opportunity this season presents to reclaim the championship. In this context, they are keen to equip manager Mikel Arteta with the necessary resources to mount a serious challenge against Liverpool.
Watkins has long been on Arsenal's radar, not least due to his history as a supporter of the club during his youth. The Gunners made a concrete move to secure the Villa forward, with Romano confirming that the bid was submitted on Wednesday. However, Aston Villa responded decisively, rejecting the offer. "Aston Villa have rejected today an official bid from Arsenal for Ollie Watkins," Romano stated, adding that the proposal was turned down due to Villa's dissatisfaction with the timing, particularly as they prepare for a crucial UEFA Champions League match against Celtic later today.
Currently, Villa find themselves in ninth place in the Champions League standings, just outside the automatic qualification zone for the knockout stages. The club's intention to retain Watkins appears resolute, especially as they engage in ongoing discussions with Al Nassr regarding a potential move for Jhon Duran. Both Arsenal and Chelsea have expressed interest in Duran, but he seems more likely to join the Saudi Arabian side. Al Nassr is reportedly looking to revamp their attack in anticipation of life after Cristiano Ronaldo, with Duran and Victor Boniface identified as key targets.
As it stands, it remains uncertain whether Arsenal will return with an improved offer for Watkins or if the England international will seek a transfer before the January window closes. Watkins has been in exceptional form, having scored 80 goals in 200 appearances for Villa, playing a pivotal role in their Champions League qualification and solidifying his status as one of the Premier League's most prolific forwards.
Should their pursuit of Watkins falter, Arsenal have alternative striker options in mind, including Mathys Tel from Bayern Munich, Dusan Vlahovic of Juventus, Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig, and Evan Ferguson from Brighton & Hove Albion. As reported by TEAMtalk, the Gunners remain committed to bolstering their attacking options as the season progresses.