Arsenal reportedly had a bid turned down by Aston Villa for English striker Ollie Watkins during the January transfer window, but latest revelation suggests that the Gunners never really intended to complete a deal.
Top English journalist David Ornstein has revealed that Arsenal, although tabled a bid to Villa for the striker, never took it seriously, and knew it was going to be turned down anyways.
The North Londoners failed to make any signing to bolster their ranks as they seek to end their two decades wait for a Premier League title.
They were initially linked with a move for Benjamin Sesko of Red Bull Leipzig as they were in the summer, but the Bundesliga club closed any doors of the striker’s exit, while the Serbian also appeared satisfied to remain with the club.
Ollie Watkins became a target later in the window, almost at a time Villa sanctioned the sale of Jhon Duran to Al Nassr in a £60 million deal, leaving the former as their only available striker.
Mikel Arteta felt Watkins would hit the ground running if the move is made, when it was first mentioned in a club meeting following the 2-2 draw in the Emirates in January, but the club was critical about investing such huge sum on a player who turns 30 on their next birthday.
Watkins, who scored his sixth goal in ten games against the Arsenal to salvage a point for the visitors is a confessed Arsenal fan, and has in the past confirmed that he would love to one day sign for them – but his best chance to realize that dream has just passed him by.
Arsenal appeared to know exactly what they were doing, as the Watkins deal looked like a smokescreen, some sort of excuse so that they go window without signing a striker, and not have to appear unambitious to fans.
Arsenal Never Intends to Sign Ollie Watkins
According to David Ornstein, Arsenal knew Aston Villa would be tempted to listen to offer and probably do business at £60 million, but instead tabled a bid £20 million less, which was rejected seven minutes afterwards.
“On Ollie Watkins, Aston Villa gave Arsenal the opportunity to do this deal or have a conversation on the basis of a £60m possibility. That was something clearly Arsenal were not prepared to do at that value — they decided to suggest around the £40m mark.” Ornstein said via The Athletics.
“Villa were being serious when they suggested £60m, that’s what they would have been prepared to have a conversation for. We don’t know if it would have led to an offer being accepted, but the door was clearly opened at that level.”
“For somebody that’s gone on record to say he’s an Arsenal supporter & it would have been his dream move, perhaps Watkins would have pushed for it if it came close, but it didn’t come close. There was no attempt by Arsenal to go again.” he added.
Arsenal had been decided on the plan for the window, which was to nothing. The striker department was their main focus and their failure to land Sesko still would not see them sign Watkins as a consolation, because the 29-year-old does not suit their project.
Perhaps a temporary fix would have been perfect, but Villa would not listen to a loan deal, and the attempt to sign Alvaro Morata fell through as the Spanish striker joined Galatasaray instead.
What Now For Arsenal?
The fight for the league title continues as they trailed leaders Liverpool by six points yet have played a game more, fueled by their big win over Manchester City, the level of optimism around the Emirates soar.
They will have to make do with Kai Havertz leading the line for the remainder of the season, and hope the German form improves, and most importantly stay fit during the run-in.
Ben White is close to a return as mentioned by Mikel Arteta in his prematch press conference ahead of the Carabao Cup semi final second leg meeting with Newcastle United at the Saint James’ Park on Wednesday.
White could return after the break (for the Leicester City game) while Bukayo Saka remains on the sideline, with the hope of returning by month end.
In Ethan Nwaneri, Arsenal have a backup for their biggest star but have to hope the injury crisis does not hit them any longer, so they can have the men to compete until the end of the season.
Conclusion
Arsenal was left in a difficult situation in the window, but despite their failure to make a striker signing, they can also take solace in the fact that £60 million is too much of an investment on a 30-year-old.
However, they should be set to go all out for their main striker target in the summer, as failure will render their sacrifice in the winter window futile.
Kehinde-Hassan Afolabi
