Ollie Watkins to Arsenal transfer latest – Deadline day update,£60m twist, Mikel Arteta plan

Ollie Watkins is a player Arsenal is very interested in signing. Arsenal had been focused on Benjamin Sesko for a long time in 2024 and early 2025, but they surprised everyone when they made a bid for Watkins with less than a week left in the January transfer window. Watkins is 29 years old, and he recently celebrated his birthday in December. He has always been linked with a move to Arsenal because he is a boyhood fan of the club. Arsenal has had him on their radar for quite some time.

Watkins has an impressive record in the Premier League with 69 goals and 31 assists in 170 appearances. Last season, he had his best performance with 34 goal contributions. On deadline day, he remains one of the key players to watch. Arsenal submitted a bid for him, but Aston Villa rejected it quickly. The bid was made earlier than when the public found out, and Arsenal was just testing the possibility of signing him. Watkins is open to moving to Arsenal if a deal can be reached, but he is not pushing to leave Aston Villa. Unai Emery, the Villa manager, spoke with Watkins, and both are happy with him staying at the club.

There were rumors that Arsenal would make a second offer, but that has not happened yet. The exact amount of Arsenal’s bid is unclear. Some reports said it was around £60 million, but others claimed it was closer to £45 million, which is far below Aston Villa’s valuation of the player. The situation became more complicated when Aston Villa sold Jhon Duran to Al-Nassr for nearly £70 million. This sale makes Villa less willing to let another key striker leave in the same transfer window. Unai Emery and Aston Villa’s sporting director, Monchi, were looking at Joao Felix from Chelsea as a potential replacement. However, Chelsea’s high valuation of Felix, especially since Arsenal is a Champions League rival, makes it unlikely that Felix will leave. This situation also affects the chances of Watkins moving to Arsenal.

Arsenal’s manager, Mikel Arteta, was asked about Watkins and the possibility of signing a new striker before Arsenal’s win over Manchester City. Arteta said they don’t look at the transfer market based on age or background. They focus on what the team needs and whether a player can make the team better over time. After the game, Arteta was asked again about their transfer plans. He said he hadn’t been focusing on transfers because he was preparing the team to face Manchester City. He also mentioned that after the game, they would discuss the situation, but the focus was on the upcoming match against Newcastle. Arteta said their intentions in the transfer market are clear, but it’s also about what is possible to achieve.

There was some concern about Watkins on deadline day because he had to be taken off early during Aston Villa’s game against Wolves due to an injury. If Arsenal manages to sign him, Watkins would be eligible to play in the Champions League knockout stages and the Carabao Cup semi-final second leg against Newcastle United. He is not cup-tied, and he still has three years left on his contract with Aston Villa. This makes it more difficult for Arsenal to sign him because Villa is not in a hurry to sell.

Arsenal fans are eager to see if Watkins will join the club. His goal-scoring record makes him an attractive option. However, Aston Villa values him highly, and they don’t want to lose another striker after selling Duran. The transfer situation remains uncertain, and everything could change quickly as the deadline approaches. Arsenal will have to decide if they want to increase their offer or move on to other targets. Mikel Arteta’s comments suggest that Arsenal is careful about their transfer decisions. They want to sign players who can make a long-term impact. Watkins fits the profile because of his Premier League experience and goal-scoring ability. However, the financial side of the deal and Aston Villa’s reluctance to sell make it a challenging transfer.

The transfer window can be unpredictable, and last-minute deals are common. Arsenal might still make a new offer for Watkins, but it depends on several factors. Villa’s stance, Watkins’ injury, and Arsenal’s budget will all play a role in the final decision. Fans will be watching closely to see what happens before the window closes. Watkins would be a great addition to Arsenal’s squad. His pace, movement, and finishing skills would complement the team’s attacking style. He has proven himself in the Premier League, and his experience would be valuable for Arsenal’s title challenge. If the deal goes through, Watkins could play a key role in Arsenal’s season.

However, if Arsenal can’t sign Watkins, they might look at other options. The club has been linked with other strikers, including Mathys Tel and Dusan Vlahovic. Arsenal’s recruitment team is working hard to strengthen the squad before the deadline. The club wants to compete at the highest level, both in the Premier League and Europe.The transfer saga around Ollie Watkins shows how complicated football transfers can be. It’s not just about the player’s talent but also about negotiations, contracts, and financial considerations. Both Arsenal and Aston Villa have their priorities, and they will make decisions based on what’s best for their clubs.

For now, Watkins remains an Aston Villa player. But with the transfer window still open, anything can happen. Arsenal fans will hope that the club can make a breakthrough and sign the striker they’ve been chasing. Whether it happens or not, it’s clear that Watkins is a player highly regarded by Arsenal and their manager, Mikel Arteta.