Courtesy: Google

Courtesy: Google

Aston Villa have reportedly rejected a bid of £60 million from Arsenal for their striker Ollie Watkins just hours prior to the UEFA Champions League (UCL) clash against Celtic at the Villa Park. It is understood that Arsenal had made an enquiry about the 29-year-old earlier this week, to bolster their attacking front going into the business end of the 2024-25 season, but nothing has materialised as far as a deal between them and Aston Villa until now.

As per the report from BBC Sport, the sources close to Aston Villa have stated that the club has no intention of letting go Ollie Watkins since his fellow teammate and striker Jhon Duran is linked to Al-Nassr for a potential move in the ongoing January transfer window. Aston Villa are also unhappy about the time in which Arsenal have approached them for Ollie Watkins with the UCL tie against Celtic on the horizon.

Ollie Watkins scored first UCL goal for Aston Villa against Celtic

Despite that, Aston Villa defeated Celtic with a 4-2 scoreline at the Villa Park, which proved to be enough for them to finish the group stage of the UCL in eighth place, earning an automatic spot in the round of 16 of the tournament. Ollie Watkins was on the scoresheet on the night for Aston Villa alongside hat-trick man Morgan Rodgers, and he also missed a penalty in bizarre circumstances, slipping during his attempt.

While there is no certainty about whether Arsenal will return with a counter offer before the end of the transfer window next Monday, Unai Emery, the manager of Aston Villa, addressed the situation surrounding Ollie Watkins. He was quoted as saying, “I don't want. Every player can be in the market in case it's good for the player, the club and the team. But to get this deal we are going to be very demanding as well and Watkins is our striker.”

Moreover, Ollie Watkins has scored 11 goals in 32 games this season for Aston Villa, which includes an equaliser in the 2-2 draw against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium earlier this month in the Premier League.