Aston Villa have rejected a proper provide from Arsenal for Ollie Watkins, sources have informed ESPN.
Arsenal wish to signal a ahead earlier than Monday’s switch deadline and are pursuing different choices after accepting Benjamin Sesko is unlikely to go away RB Leipzig this month.
Sources have informed ESPN that Arsenal have now made a proper transfer for Watkins however their opening bid was dismissed out of hand by Villa. They’re now anticipated to return with an improved provide as soon as Villa’s Champions League destiny is set.
Villa host Celtic on Wednesday night concentrating on computerized qualification to the spherical of 16.
Watkins is considered open to a transfer to Emirates Stadium, having beforehand mentioned in 2020: “That is the dream, to play for Arsenal in the future.”
Nonetheless, the England worldwide has three years left on his deal and Villa are in a robust negotiating place to demand a excessive payment.
One other issue complicating Arsenal’s pursuit of Watkins is curiosity from Al Nassr in Villa striker Jhon Durán with the Saudi Professional League switch window set to shut on Friday. Villa wouldn’t contemplate promoting each Duran and Watkins on this window.
Duran is valued at £80 million ($99.5m) and Al Nassr are mentioned to be weighing up a big-money transfer for both the 21-year-old or Bayer Leverkusen striker Victor Boniface. Both method, Arteta is set to bolster his attacking choices after dropping each Gabriel Jesus and Bukayo Saka to harm.
“Ideally we want some assist,” Arteta mentioned on Friday. “We have been quick already and now we’re even shorter. The group nonetheless copes with that.”