‘Aston Villa to offer Ollie Watkins bumper new deal after Arsenal bid’
Aston Villa will offer a new contract to Ollie Watkins in the wake of the shock transfer offer from Arsenal, Lee Hendrie has said.
That also comes amid growing speculation around the future of Jhon Duran, who is expected to undergo a medical ahead of a move to Saudi Arabian side Al Nassr (The Athletic).
Now Hendrie believes that move, combined with the interest from Arsenal in Watkins, could prompt Aston Villa to take action over the future of the 29-year-old, who will not accept a cheap deal with the Gunners either.
Speaking about the bid for the striker from Mikel Arteta’s side on Sky Sports Soccer Special, the former Villa midfielder said (29 January, 7:53pm): “Arsenal are gonna have to pay beyond because everybody knows Arsenal need a striker, so Villa are holding all the cards.
“I just think Ollie Watkins, where he is at the moment, they’ll probably offer him a new bumper contract which he thoroughly deserves to be honest.
“I feel, what he produced last season in numbers he didn’t have the disruption of Jhon Duran breathing down his neck and that’s why I feel he can’t keep both of them players.
“They won’t be happy and it’s just going to disrupt the camp, which I feel it has done this season.”
Ollie Watkins contract offer makes sense for Aston Villa to fend off Arsenal
Football Insider Verdict
There are still three-and-a-half years remaining on Watkins’ contract with Aston Villa, securing his future there until the end of the 2027/28 season.
As a result there is no pressure on them to sell to Arsenal or anyone else when it comes to getting some sort of fee for him.
Watkins though will recognise the opportunities that a move to the Emirates Stadium could generate for him from a footballing and financial perspective.
Offering him a new contract would therefore show that Villa recognise how much he is worth to them and others, and that they are willing to reward him appropriately.
If Duran is to move on as well, competition for a place in Emery’s side will be reduced and that could also sway him into staying where he is, rather than moving to Arsenal.
With that in mind this would be a sensible move for Villa to make, especially since their Champions League progress could help ensure they can afford such a deal.
In other news. Arsenal are concerned that a transfer target could end up playing for Man City.
For more Arsenal news, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp Channel for instant updates to be sent straight to your phone.