BREAKING: Arsenal brace for dramatic Ollie Watkins transfer twist as £64m deal ‘agreed’ and medical planned
An Aston Villa striker is set for a medical to complete a January transfer, but it is not Ollie Watkins. Despite a £60million approach from Arsenal earlier this week, which Villa turned down, Watkins was named in the starting XI to face Celtic in the Champions League.
The 29-year-old is a huge Arsenal fan and has previously admitted it would be a dream to play for the Gunners. That would suggest he is open to the move but that stance is not seemingly reflected by Villa and Unai Emery with Jhon Duran also attracting significant interest this month.
Chelsea have been linked with a move for the 21-year-old along with Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr and it looks as though the latter are very closing to signing him. According to David Ornstein of The Athletic, Duran is set for a medical in London on Thursday before completing a £64million (€77m) switch.
It is highly unlikely that Emery sanctions both deals which would suggest Arsenal have some serious work to do on Watkins. As the Saudi Arabia transfer window closes on Thursday, January 30, Al-Nassr are moving quickly to bring in a striker with Bayer Leverkusen’s Victor Boniface lined up as their alternative.
Based on that, it is still possible that Duran remains at Villa Park and that could give Arsenal the green light to sign Watkins. Despite insisting they do not want to sell, given his age, form and his contract situation, Villa may not have a better time to sell than now.
Duran is also clearly a ready-made replacement and one leaving would result in the other being guaranteed consistent minutes moving forward. However, Villa will receive more money for the departure of Duran and that could prove extremely helpful as they look to avoid further financial probems.
Villa boss Unai Emery was not asked about Duran or Watkins before his side’s game against Celtic on Wednesday night, but speaking about the former recently he said: “It is not only with Jhon Duran but other players as well.
“I am focusing a lot on how we are thinking and planning each match and every player is focusing on it. “There can be some rumours to leave from here or come here from other teams.
“Every team is in the same situation. “The group we have here now has to be professional and responsible and play, focusing on each match.
“We don’t know exactly until the last day of the transfer window how many players we can change in this squad – but on Sunday, we are here with the players we have and 100% focused on the match.”
Duran started the game against Celtic on the bench.
