Ollie Watkins told he is NOT for sale in January - after Arsenal saw their shock bid rejected for the Aston Villa forward
Ollie Watkins told he is NOT for sale in January - after Arsenal saw their shock bid rejected for the Aston Villa forward
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Ollie Watkins has been told he is not for sale in January following a bid from Arsenal with Unai Emery insisting the striker is happy to stay at Aston Villa. The Gunners made an offer for Watkins hours before Villa’s 4-2 win over Celtic in the Champions League last Wednesday – even though Villa were close to selling Jhon Duran, their other centre-forward, to Al Nassr, with that deal expected to go through on Friday.
![[Unai Emery has insisted Watkins is happy to stay at Aston Villa despite Arsenal's interest]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/31/14/94727723-14346809-image-a-98_1738334102947.jpg)
Emery would say after the Celtic only that he ‘wanted’ to keep Watkins at Villa Park but he was far more clear on the matter on Friday. Asked whether he could state that Watkins was not for sale, Emery said: ‘Yes, yes. We talked with him and he is very focused on the message we have. ‘He is happy to stay. You can ask him, but we asked him how he is feeling every day, every year he has been here with Aston Villa, with us and without us.’.
![[Villa transfer chief Monchi has confirmed their interest in Joao Felix and Marco Asensio]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/31/14/94727817-14346809-image-m-102_1738334295024.jpg)
‘The commitment of Ollie Watkins with us is a huge commitment. He appreciates a lot how Aston Villa were always supporting him, helping him, and when we arrived here two years ago, how we worked with him, always trying to get the best of him. Ollie Watkins has been told by Aston Villa he is not for sale in the January transfer window. Unai Emery has insisted Watkins is happy to stay at Aston Villa despite Arsenal's interest.
Villa transfer chief Monchi has confirmed their interest in Joao Felix and Marco Asensio. ‘Now we need him, like he needed Aston Villa. I am speaking with him a lot and he is always adapting of every circumstance we have in the squad. ‘When some teams call us to show interest in the players, of course it is very good for us and very good for the players. ‘Some players prefer to leave and some players accept to stay here, to be here and commit with us. One of those is Ollie Watkins.’.
