Ollie Watkins’ verdict on Arsenal transfer revealed as Unai Emery issues update

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Arsenal’s pursuit of Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins is in the balance, after Unai Emery issued an update regarding the player.

The Gunners are eager to strengthen their attacking cohort before the end of the transfer window.

Gabriel Jesus is out for the season with an ACL injury, while Bukayo Saka isn’t available until at least March after undergoing hamstring surgery.

A plethora of names have been linked with a switch to the Emirates, with Watkins emerging as the primary target in recent days.

Unai Emery provides Ollie Watkins to Arsenal update

Arsenal are evidently short a goal-scorer, having found the back of the net ten times fewer than Premier League rivals Liverpool this campaign.

The Gunners have just Kai Havertz available as a senior striker, with Jesus’ abrupt injury earlier this month exacerbating the need to add to Mikel Arteta’s ranks in this department.

Ollie Watkins was the subject of a bid from Arsenal, with the North London club reportedly offering Villa £40 million for the number nine’s services.

Reports have circulated indicating that Watkins is keen on swapping Birmingham for Islington, although Unai Emery has issued a conflicting update.

In a damaging blow for Arsenal, the Spanish boss claimed that the England international is actually happy to remain at Villa Park.

Watkins is known to be a boyhood Arsenal fan, with this said to be driving the club’s slim chances of landing the player in this window.

Arsenal had hoped that the prolific forward would agitate for a move, which could in turn potentially lead to it materialising.

However, Emery’s comments suggest that this is unlikely, and with Jhon Duran set to join Al-Nassr, the transfer appears all but dead.

Unai Emery’s comments on Ollie Watkins could be a smokescreen

Having scored 27 goals across all competitions last season, Watkins is vital to Villa.

Thus, Emery will be desperate to keep hold of his star man, and it’ll be in his interests to publicly document the 29-year-old’s commitment to Villa, to halt rumours and Arsenal’s pursuit.

However, with other reports suggesting Watkins wants the move, it’s plausible that Emery’s words are merely a smokescreen, in an attempt to retain the player.

While a deal is still unlikely, it’s possible that Watkins could still push for the switch.