Aston Villa star hands out ‘goodbye gifts’ as Arsenal plot second Ollie Watkins bid

Aston Villa are set for a busy end to the January transfer window, with Arsenal set to lodge a second bid for Ollie Watkins and Jhon Duran expected to join Al-Nassr

Aston Villa striker Jhon Duran has given out goodbye gifts to team-mates and club staff, with the 21-year-old set to complete a move to Saudi Arabia.

Duran is poised to undergo a medical with Al-Nassr ahead of a big money move worth €77million (£64.5m) plus add-ons that could ruin Arsenal’s hopes of signing Ollie Watkins. Duran was left on the bench as Villa beat Celtic 4-2 to reach the last-16 of the Champions League.

And TNT Sports report that the striker could be seen handing out gifts to team-mates and staff in the tunnel after the game, suggesting his exit is imminent. When quizzed on Duran and Watkins’ futures, Villa boss Unai Emery said: “I don’t know if Jhon Duran is leaving.

“But if he is, it is good news for us because he is leaving because it is good money. It is for the club, the players and the team. I don’t know if he will leave or not. Watkins is our striker.”

Villa remain determined to keep hold of Watkins this month, but Arsenal are ready to make an improved offer after their initial £60m bid was rejected. Arsenal are long-term admirers of the England international, with manager Mikel Arteta a fan of his work-rate, pace and creativity.

Time is not on Arsenal’s side with the January transfer window set to slam shut in less than a week. “I can’t talk about any of that,” Arteta said when asked about Watkins before Arsenal’s 2-1 win over Girona.

“My confidence is that we have an amazing club with people always working to try and improve. Let’s see what happens.” Arteta has previously been open about his desire to strengthen his forward line, particularly after Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus suffered serious injuries.

“My opinion is clear – we lost two very important players in Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus, so we lack goals, people and options in the front line, it’s clear,” Arteta said last week. “If we can get the right player, that’s what we are actively looking at, but any player – no.

“We need someone that makes us better and makes an impact on the team, it’s clear that for the period that we have lost them ideally, we need some help because we were short already and we’re even shorter. The team has still coped with that but we have to do what is right for the club.”

Arsenal are also interested in Bayern Munich’s Mathys Tel, who wants to move this month in search for more game time. However, they do have competition for the teenager, with Premier League rivals Chelsea among them.

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