Will Aston Villa Sell Ollie Watkins to Arsenal on Deadline Day?

As the January transfer window slams shut, all eyes are on Arsenal’s pursuit of Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins.

£60 Million or No Deal? The Price Arsenal Must Pay for Watkins

With just hours left before the 11:00 PM deadline, the big question remains, will Villa part ways with their star forward?

Arsenal’s need for a striker is well-documented. After demolishing Manchester City 5-1 in a stunning performance, Mikel Arteta is keen to strengthen his attacking options.

Watkins, who has been in exceptional form, is at the top of the Gunners’ wish list. But getting him won’t be straightforward.

Aston Villa’s Stance on Watkins’ Sale

Villa are in a strong position when it comes to Watkins. The England international has been one of the most prolific strikers in the Premier League, directly contributing to 40 goals last season and already hitting impressive numbers in this campaign.

Unai Emery sees him as untouchable, especially with Jhon Duran having already left the club this window.

Losing another key forward this late in the window would be a major setback. However, financial realities might force Villa to reconsider their stance.

Reports indicate that Villa are ‘close to their PSR (Profit and Sustainability Rules) limits,’ which means they may have to offload a player to stay within financial regulations.

Arsenal have sensed an opportunity and are pushing to get the deal done.

How Much Would It Take for Arsenal to Sign Watkins?

Arsenal initially tabled a bid of £40 million, but Villa swiftly rejected it, making it clear they value Watkins much higher.

Sources suggest that a £60 million offer would force Villa to reconsider, especially if Arsenal structure the deal favorably with upfront cash.

That being said, the situation has been complicated by Watkins picking up a muscle injury in Villa’s recent clash against Wolves. The extent of the issue remains unclear, but Arsenal won’t want to splash a huge sum on a player who could be sidelined for weeks.

Time is running out. If Arsenal truly want Watkins, they need to move fast and significantly improve their offer.

Villa, on the other hand, must weigh their financial needs against their ambition of securing a top-four finish this season.

As it stands, a deal isn’t entirely off the table, but it will take a huge final push from Arsenal to convince Villa to sell so close to the deadline.

If they fail, Arteta may have to turn to alternative targets to strengthen his attack before the clock runs out.