Aston Villa reject sudden huge Ollie Watkins bid from Arsenal | OneFootball

Aston Villa have rejected a surprise bumper bid from Arsenal for star striker Ollie Watkins, according to multiple reports.

The Gunners were short of a 'number nine' even before Gabriel Jesus suffered a serious knee injury earlier this month, but had appeared set to let the opportunity to recruit mis-season pass them by.

Kai Havertz has played up front for the majority of the season for Arsenal, scoring 14 goals across all competitions, but Mikel Arteta has few other options at his disposal heading into the business end of the campaign.

Watkins has scored ten Premier League goals for Villa this season, continuing his fine form from last season, and Mail Sport report that an initial offer from Arsenal, who have been strongly linked to Benjamin Sesko and others, has been rejected.

The figures involved weren't disclosed in the report - an improved offer is expected to be put forwaed - but Fabrizio Romano states that Arsenal's offer to Villa was worth £60m.

Watkins has been one of the Premier League's top forwards in recent times, reaching new heights since Unai Emery was appointed Villa boss towards the end of 2022.

Watkins has impressed against Arsenal this season / Mike Hewitt/GettyImages

After a breakout goalscoring season with Brentford in the Championship in 2019/20, the Devon-born star has consistently reached double figures in the Premier League for Villa following a £33m transfer that raised plenty of eyebrows at the time.

The 2023/24 campaign was a career-defining year for Watkins, racking up 19 goals and 13 assists in the Premier League alone as Villa enjoyed their best finish in 28 years and qualified for the Champions League. He went on to have a crucial role as an impact player for England at Euro 2024, and has continued to impress domestically this campaign.

What could perhaps work in Arsenal’s favour is Watkins' self-confessed dream to play for the club, revealed in 2020 at a time when he had never experienced top flight football. It might have felt like a pipe dream back then, for a player who came through the youth ranks at Exeter City and has climbed the football ladder the hard way. But it remains to be seen whether his ambitions have changed.

Villa are already fielding interest in Jhon Duran this transfer window, with the £80m-rated Colombian wanted by a variety of clubs, including West Ham United, Real Madrid and Al Nassr.