Ollie Watkins exit: Sky Sports share major transfer news from Arsenal
Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins was the subject of transfer interest from Arsenal in January.
Watkins has been outstanding for Aston Villa over the last few seasons, and is a key part of the side who are currently in the FA Cup semi-finals and Champions League quarter-finals.
The England international has grown in stature after several excellent Premier League campaigns, but this meant that he attracted interest from elsewhere.
Arsenal even bid for Watkins in January, but with Jhon Duran leaving, Villa did not want to part ways with the striker, and an update has now emerged ahead of the summer window.
Arsenal end interest in Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins
With Arsenal still seeking a new striker in the summer transfer window, they may have returned to sign Watkins, but Villa no longer need to worry.
Sky Sports (4 April) have now reported that Arsenal have turned their attention away from Watkins due to his age.
"Arsenal bid for Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins in January but it is understood that interest has since cooled," the report shared.
| Stat | Ollie Watkins |
| Appearances | 10 |
| Goals | 6 |
| Wins | 4 |
"It is understood the move was very much based on the situation at the time, with Jhon Duran’s proposed move to Saudi Arabia then still up in the air.
"Arsenal are understood to now be looking for a younger centre-forward than the 29-year-old Watkins, and looking a number of options on the market."
Ollie Watkins loses out on Arsenal 'dream'
The cooled interest in Watkins is good news for Villa as it means they get to keep their star striker, but Watkins will now know that he missed the chance to accomplish his childhood dream.
Speaking in 2020, Watkins revealed that he was a lifelong Arsenal fan who one day wanted to play for them.
"Yeah, that’s the dream, to play for Arsenal one day. But, you know, it’s a long shot," Watkins stated.
The England striker may not feel too aggrieved, though, given what he is achieving at Villa, who drew 2-2 at the Emirates the last time they faced Arsenal.
Should Villa and Arsenal progress past Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid, they will face each other in the Champions League semi-finals, and Watkins would have a huge part to play against the Gunners again.
The 29-year-old has scored several crucial goals against Arsenal, including one which ended up costing them the Premier League title last season, with his full focus clearly on Villa.