Emery confirms Watkins ‘happy’ to snub Arsenal transfer | OneFootball

Unai Emery has said Ollie Watkins is happy at Aston Villa and prepared to snub a transfer to Arsenal this month.

Arsenal saw a £60m bid for Watkins turned down earlier this month as the Gunners look to sign a striker before Monday’s transfer deadline. Watkins – a boyhood Arsenal fan – has emerged as a leading target for the North London side.

The 29-year-old has scored 81 goals in 201 appearances for Aston Villa since arriving from Brentford in 2020. Last season, he won the Premier League’s Playmaker of the Season award after leading the division for assists.

Villa are close to finalising the sale of Jhon Duran to Saudi Pro League side Al Nassr and have no intention of allowing Watkins to also depart.

Speaking at his pre-match press conference ahead of this weekend’s trip to Wolves, Emery said Watkins is happy to stay at Villa Park despite Arsenal’s interest.

“Yes, he is happy to stay. We asked him how he is feeling every day and year he is being here with Villa and he is happy here,” Emery said.

“The commitment of Ollie Watkins with us is a huge commitment. He appreciates a lot how Villa was always supporting him and helping him, when we joined here two years ago how we were working with him and getting the best of him.

“Now we need him, like he needed Aston Villa in the last years. I am speaking with him a lot, he is always adapting with every circumstances we have and of course when some teams calling us being interested in the players it’s very good for us and the players.

“Some players prefer to leave and some accept to stay here and commit with our challenges. One of them is Ollie Watkins.”

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