Former Aston Villa star Gabby Agbonlahor has been left fuming after Arsenal’s £60million bid for Ollie Watkins became public knowledge before Unai Emery’s side took on Celtic in the Champions League
Gabby Agbonlahor has slammed Arsenal over the timing of their £60million bid for Aston Villa star Ollie Watkins.
Arsenal’s move for Watkins became public knowledge shortly before Villa took on Celtic in the Champions League, with a spot in the last-16 on the line. Villa went on to win the match 4-2 and finish eighth in the revamped league phase, ensuring they have advanced directly to the last-16.
Watkins did feature in the game after Villa rejected Arsenal’s offer, with the England international scoring their third goal, but Agbonlahor was not happy with the Gunners and called in to talkSPORT as a fan to vent his frustration.
“The audacity of Arsenal on the eve of the game – a massive game tonight for Villa against Celtic – to put in a bid of £60million for Ollie Watkins to go sideways to Arsenal,” the former Villa striker fumed.
“The audacity of this football club. I’m in shock here. Villa fans are going to the game in good spirits and now both of our star strikers have had bids in for them. How unsettling is that for both of the players tonight?”
Agbonlahor was then asked about Watkins previously admitting that playing for Arsenal was his “dream”, having grown up as a Gunners fan. “Yeah, he came out in 2019 [2020] didn’t he to say he’d like to play for Arsenal one day.
“Listen, it’s really unsettling but knowing the situation, there is zero chance of them selling Watkins. Duran will be the one they sell because he’s got that side to him where he can be a bit of a handful.
“The manager won’t accept that. If they can get £75million for him, they will definitely sell Duran. I just don’t like the timing from Arsenal. Who do they think they are?”
Arsenal are plotting a second bid for Watkins, but Villa remain determined to keep hold of him with fellow striker Jhon Duran poised to complete a move to Saudi Arabia. Duran is set to undergo a medical with Al-Nassr after a deal worth €77million (£64.5m) plus add-ons was agreed.
“I don’t know if Jhon Duran is leaving,” Villa boss Unai Emery said after the win over Celtic. “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.”
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