Aston Villa have denied reports that Ollie Watkins was offered to Arsenal in the January transfer window, Arsenal Insider understands.
It comes following a chase for the striker over the remaining week of the market for the Gunners, with plenty of interest shown.
Arsenal made a bid for Ollie Watkins in the final week, but it was rejected by Aston Villa in an instant before their crucial Champions League tie with Celtic.
With Jhon Duran making the switch to Al Nassr in Saudi Arabia, a move for the England international seemed unlikely.
However, reports about Watkins potentially joining Arsenal for a specific fee resurfaced in the final hours of the winter transfer window.
- READ MORE: Forget Mathys Tel, Arsenal already have a ‘great’ natural goal-scorer who Mikel Arteta loves
Aston Villa respond to Arsenal and Ollie Watkins transfer reports
The initial bid from Arsenal for Ollie Watkins was in the region of £40million, looking to land the 29-year-old in a bargain move.
The striker was a boyhood Gunners fan and had previously made it clear that it would be his dream to play for the club.
While reports surrounded a possible move for £40million, there were claims that Aston Villa “offered” Watkins to Arsenal if they matched a £60million mark.
Speaking to Arsenal Insider, TBR Football’s chief transfer reporter Graeme Bailey revealed that Aston Villa “totally deny” offering Watkins to Arsenal or encouraging them to make a bid.
That offer was made before Jhon Duran’s switch to Al Nassr, however, once that deal was agreed upon, the move for his former teammate always seemed unlikely to near impossible.
It remains to be seen whether Arsenal will return for the 29-year-old in the summer, but they have seemingly missed out for the winter and the rest of the current season.
Arsenal fans frustrated by late Ollie Watkins transfer bid
With Arsenal making such a late approach for Watkins that hasn’t come to pass, the fans were far from happy on social media.
One supporter said: “But the club chose to bid £40m for Watkins on 27th Jan. Had a whole 27 days and put in that amount”
Another added: “Why not just put in a 60m bid for Watkins? We are desperate for a striker and there isn’t a better one on the market…”
Another supporter added: “Everything about this window stinks. From the lack of movement early on, to the PR release of the Zubumendi deal, the pathetic late Watkins bid, and the constant “monitoring” of Tel with no serious intent.”
“Arsenal really put 40M on the table for Watkins and stopped there,” another fan added. “The move gets more and more ridiculous as days go by.”
Arsenal couldn’t land their man and instead, appear set to end the transfer market with no new additions.
Receive a digest of our best Arsenal content each week direct to your mailbox
