Ex-Aston Villa star Gabby Agbonlahor compares Arsenal's Ollie Watkins bid to their failed Luis Suarez offer - as he claims Gunners are appeasing fans
Ex-Aston Villa star Gabby Agbonlahor compares Arsenal's Ollie Watkins bid to their failed Luis Suarez offer - as he claims Gunners are appeasing fans
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Former Aston Villa forward Gabby Agbonlahor has claimed Arsenal have tried to appease their fanbase by launching a bid for Ollie Watkins late in the transfer window. Mail Sport reported on Wednesday that the Gunners had launched a stunning swoop for Watkins ahead of next week’s transfer deadline.
![[Agbonlahor has claimed Arsenal have launched a bid for Ollie Watkins to appease their fans]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/30/12/94679747-14342005-image-a-10_1738240621079.jpg)
Gunners boss Mikel Arteta is a long-term admirer of the England international and the club have now moved for the 29-year-old. It is understood Arsenal have made an initial offer for Watkins which has been rejected but an improved attempt is expected. Mail Sport revealed the Gunners' move for Watkins on Wednesday afternoon and subsequent reports have indicated the offer was worth £60million.
![[Arsenal fans have long called for the club to invest in a striker to strengthen Mikel Arteta's side]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/30/12/94679761-14342005-image-a-11_1738240661221.jpg)
Villa are understood to have been angered by Arsenal’s bid and do not want to sell Watkins. Ex-Aston Villa star and talkSPORT host Gabby Agbonlahor continued his criticism of Arsenal. Agbonlahor has claimed Arsenal have launched a bid for Ollie Watkins to appease their fans.
![[Agbonlahor compared Arsenal's offer to their famous failed bid for Luis Suarez back in 2013]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/30/12/94679787-14342005-image-a-12_1738240719944.jpg)
Arsenal fans have long called for the club to invest in a striker to strengthen Mikel Arteta's side. Agbonlahor had hit out at the timing of the offer on Wednesday, which came before Aston Villa's crucial Champions League tie against Celtic. Watkins scored in the 4-2 victory over the Scottish champions to seal a place in the last-16 of the competition.
![[Watkins is a boyhood Arsenal fan and has 11 goals for Villa in all competitions this campaign]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/30/12/94661123-14342005-image-a-13_1738240805747.jpg)
Agbonlahor, who played for Aston Villa between 2005 and 2018, renewed his criticism of Arsenal when speaking on talkSPORT on Thursday morning. He claimed the Gunners offer for Watkins has been made to appease a fanbase who have been desperate for the club to sign a striker to boost their Premier League title hopes.
![[Unai Emery insisted that he wants to keep Watkins at Aston Villa amid Arsenal interest]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/30/12/94660653-14342005-Unai_Emery_insisted_that_he_wants_to_keep_Ollie_Watkins_at_Aston-a-15_1738240839607.jpg)
