Aston Villa Manager Unai Emery revealed that Ollie Watkins is “committed” despite extensive in the Midlands to stay in the Midlands transfer Interest from Arsenal.
The English international was the subject of a surprise offer of the Gunner this week. While the reports about the size of the sum that was placed on the table and was between 40 and 60 million GBP, Villa made it clear that her star striker was not for sale this month.
It was assumed that Arsenal made another offer for the 29-year-old, but Emery has taken a public attitude to remove further speculation. “Watkins’ commitment to us is a great commitment to defend the Aston Villa,” said the former Arsenal boss on Friday at his press conference gathered media.
“He appreciates a lot how Aston Villa always supported him and helped him. When we joined here two years ago, how we worked with him – we always try to get the best out of him. Now we need him like him Aston has needed Villa in recent years.
Watkins may stay in Villa Park, but his strike partner Jhon Duran is about to reconcile a breathtaking change to the Saudi Arabian outfit al Nassr.
“Of course it is very good for us if we are interested in the players if we are interested in the players,” said Emery. “Some players prefer to go. Accept some players, to be here and to commit themselves to us here, and one of them is Ollie Watkins.”
“He is happy to stay,” concluded Emery. “You can ask him, but we asked him how he feels with Aston Villa every day and every year and he is happy here.”
Arsenal Manager Mikel Arteta refused to talk about “individuals”, but spoke of his team’s wider search for a striker. “We have the ambition and the purpose of helping the team to support the squad and end the season strongly,” said the Spanish boss. “We actively try that.”
The Gunners are one of half a dozen Premier League clubs that are said to be interested in Brighton & Hove Albion striker Evan Ferguson. However, the Gunners would have to buy the International Republic of Ireland because they have already filled their quota of the Premier League Loaneese.