Arsenal sent new Ollie Watkins transfer update with Aston Villa to be 'demanding' over striker | OneFootball

Gunners have made a shock late swoop for England striker and boyhood fan before Monday’s deadline

Arsenal have had an approach for Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins turned down as they try to bring in a new forward before Monday’s transfer deadline.

Fellow Villa striker Jhon Duran is reportedly set to undergo a medical on Thursday ahead of a move to Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr worth £64million plus add-ons.

Villa - who have interest in Chelsea’s Joao Felix - are not expected to let both Duran and Watkins go during the same transfer window.

“I don’t want (him to leave),” Emery said on Watkins after Villa’s eventful home win over Celtic in which Watkins both scored and missed a penalty to go along with two assists during Morgan Rogers’ hat-trick heroics.

“It is good news to have offers from other clubs. We want to keep our sporting objective through the players we have in the squad.

“Every player can be in the market if it is good for the player and the club. To get this deal we are going to be demanding. Watkins is our striker.”

On Duran, Emery added: “Our players are interesting other clubs and as well [they are] paying good money for us.

"But of course our objective here is to keep our structure intelligently because we want to be on the sports side on the level we are and to keep it for a long time is the most difficult challenge we have.

"Of course sometimes we have to do it, maybe sell some players and as well change and try to continue improving always.

"I don't know exactly until everything is done if Jhon Duran is leaving but if he is leaving it is good news for us because it means they are paying good money.

"Because we have developed one young player in two years to get this offer. It is not only for the club, it is the club, the players and team, those circumstances can be positive. Club, the player and the team."

News of Arsenal’s approach for Watkins broke on Wednesday afternoon, just hours before both sides were in Champions League action.

It is understood, however, that Arsenal’s approach was not made then, even though that was the time it became public.

Arsenal want to sign a striker as they have been left short in attack following injuries to Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus.

The club are admirers of Alexander Isak and Benjamin Sesko, but a deal for either player does not look possible this month. Arsenal have been linked with Watkins in the past and he is a boyhood fan of the club.

Asked about Arsenal’s approach for him on Wednesday night, Arteta said: “You know, I cannot talk about any of that.

“My confidence is that we have an amazing club and people working always to try to improve and let's see what happens.”