David Ornstein: Arsenal turned down big chance to sign “world-class” striker at end of the window

Journalist David Ornstein has disclosed that Aston Villa were open to negotiating a deal with Arsenal for their striker, Ollie Watkins, towards the end of the winter transfer window.

Villa reportedly extended an invitation for Arsenal to discuss terms for the England international, but they were not swayed by Arsenal’s initial £40m bid.

Ornstein noted that Villa were looking for around £60m for Watkins, a price Arsenal deemed excessive considering his age of 29 and their assessment that he wasn’t worth that sum.

Arsenal, under Mikel Arteta, were looking to bolster their attack in January but ended up having a transfer window where they made no new acquisitions.

In a discussion on The Athletic FC podcast, Ornstein emphasized that Villa were at least prepared to engage in talks about Watkins.

However, the significant difference between what Villa valued Watkins at and what Arsenal were willing to pay for the player, described as “world-class” by the Up the Villans YouTube channel, meant no deal was struck.

“On Watkins, naturally these things are not easy when it gets to such a late point in the window. Clearly, Villa gave Arsenal the opportunity to do this deal or have a conversation on the basis of a £60 million possibility.

“That was something clearly Arsenal were not prepared to do at that value for a 29-year-old, who in their eyes is probably not worth that much.

“They decided to suggest around the £40m mark. Villa were being serious when they suggested £60 million because that’s where they value him and if they need to make the numbers work, with PSR and whatever else.

“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 and Arsenal weren’t prepared to go there.”

After Gabriel Jesus was sidelined for the remainder of the season due to ACL surgery, Arsenal aimed to sign a new striker in January.

However, the club did not make any additions to their forward line, which likely means Kai Havertz will feature in nearly every match until the season concludes.

The situation has been further complicated by an injury to Bukayo Saka, who is expected to be out until April after undergoing surgery for a hamstring problem, leaving Arsenal short-handed on the wings.

Currently, Arsenal sit in second place in the Premier League, trailing leaders Liverpool by six points, with Liverpool having an additional match to play.

Arsenal’s next challenge is the second leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final against Newcastle on Wednesday.