'Arsenal play on Ollie Watkins heartstrings' after 'surprise bid'
Transfers

'Arsenal play on Ollie Watkins heartstrings' after 'surprise bid'

Pete O'Rourke, Transfer Correspondent
Pete O'Rourke, Transfer Correspondent

Transfer Correspondent AUTHORITY Former Sky Sports and ESPN FC correspondent who specialises in global recruitment, contract negotiations, and high-velocity transfer breaking news. FOCUS Exclusive reporting, domestic and international transfer markets, and elite-level insights. THE INSIGHT Pete utilises a Global Network of Industry Sources to deliver verified, first-to-market reporting. His “Deep-Lens” analysis connects the dots between boardroom strategy and pitch-level recruitment, providing a level of transfer clarity that goes beyond surface-level rumours.

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Arsenal are hoping Ollie Watkins will try to force a move away from Aston Villa before 3 February, sources have told Football Insider.

Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider's Inside Track podcast, senior correspondent Pete O'Rourke revealed that the 29-year-old is a boyhood fan of the Gunners and they are attempting to "play on his heartstrings" to get a move over the line.

This comes after The Athletic reported Arsenal made a £60million bid for the striker, which was dismissed by Unai Emery's side as they are determined to keep him at the club.

Former Man United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that the North London club are accelerating their transfer plans at this stage after "crisis" talks.

However, their bid is said to have come as a surprise to Villa, who were unhappy with the timing of the offer on the eve of their Champions League clash with Celtic.

Following the departure of Jhon Duran, the club are now set to refuse any talk surrounding Watkins' exit and have no intention of letting him leave.

Aston Villa determined to keep Ollie Watkins after Arsenal twist

Villa were always reluctant to lose Watkins mid-way through the season given his importance to Emery's teams and their ambitions both domestically and in Europe.

The striker has made 32 appearances so far this term, scored 11 goals and provided nine assists with 15 goal contributions in 23 league games.

While he has not hit the hights of last season so far, Watkins is still viewed as a crucial part of the team and had kept Duran out of the side with his performances.

Now, with the Colombian set to leave the club before the 3 February deadline, Watkins' place in the side has become even more important and Villa will not let him leave.

Aston Villa Arsenal

Instead, Villa are planning to bring in a new striker, as their former scout Brown told Football Insider they are plotting a swoop to sign Wolves star Matheus Cunha.

In other news, 'Aston Villa to land way more than £64million for Jhon Duran'.

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