Unai Emery sends message to Arsenal over Ollie Watkins transfer
Unai Emery sends message to Arsenal over Ollie Watkins transfer
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Unai Emery insists he does not want to lose Ollie Watkins and says Aston Villa will be ‘very demanding’ in any possible deal involving the striker after Arsenal’s failed £60m offer. The Gunners launched a stunning move for Watkins in the final week of the January transfer window but saw their opening bid worth £60m knocked back by Aston Villa.
![[Aston Villa FC v Celtic FC - UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD8]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/GettyImages-2196645130.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
Mikel Arteta is a known admirer of Watkins and has turned to the England international as he looks for attacking reinforcements before the transfer deadline. Arsenal are expected to make a second, improved offer for Watkins but Aston Villa boss Emery has no intention of losing him.
![[Girona FC v Arsenal FC - UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD8]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/GettyImages-2196635597.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
‘I don’t want him to be sold,’ Emery said after Aston Villa’s Champions League victory over Celtic. ‘It’s good news to have offers from other clubs. ‘Every player can be in the market in case it’s good for the player, club and the team.
![[Aston Villa FC v Celtic FC - UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD8]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/GettyImages-2196622201.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
‘But to get this deal, of course we are going to be very demanding and Watkins is our striker.’. Mikel Arteta also addressed the rumours around Watkins after Arsenal’s Champions League game, though he had little to say on the topic. ‘I can’t talk about any of that,’ he said after Arsenal came from behind to beat Girona 2-1.
![[Aston Villa FC v Celtic FC - UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD8]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/GettyImages-2196646278.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
‘My confidence is that we have an amazing club with people always working to try and improve. Let’s see what happens.’. Watkins had an eventful evening against Celtic, scoring a goal, providing an assist and missing a penalty in an entertaining 4-2 win.
