I saw stories (BBC i think?) of Arsenal bidding for Watkins at Villa, last night pop up on my news feed.
Was a bit surprised by that, Didnt see the figure mentioned or what Villa’s reaction was (other than turn the first bid down - so am not sure if they were open to higher offers or determined to wait until summer?)
£60m bid was turned down.
Emery will be more than happy to help Arsenal of course 
It wasn’t only that the tackle was cynical.
The point is that a tackle at that pace at the back of the leg can very well lead to a not insignificant injury.
I don’t like Edwards , but Miles Skelly’s tackle was dangerous on top of being cynical. Pull them back with their shirt sleeves if you want to get a booking. But aiming a target at the back of the leg which is relatively unprotected is dangerous play.
No way they’ll be letting Watkins go when they got fucking huge money for Duran.
Shame on the career being ended though (for Duran I.e
Villa also let Buendia go out on loan to Leverkusen.
Al Nassr are rumoured to be interested in Jhon Duran, so I think with the Saudi transfer window closing Friday, that is the more important deal.
If they lose Duran, then no chance would they also sell Watkins so late in the window. If the Duran deal fails to be completed than Watkins to Arsenal could still be possible after the weekend.
Apparently, Watkins grew up as an Arsenal fan so he may be keen on it. If Villa really need the money then maybe selling Watkins now and Duran in the summer would be the way to go.
All seems a bit panicky
If Villa need the money, then selling Duran to Nassr this window would make more sense as they are offering the higher fee. And Duran is the lower ranked striker, so would theoretically be the easier player to replace at short notice.
Replacing your main striker would be something you want to plan properly, especially if you are selling to a team based in your league.
I may have confused players but is Duran one of the players that had reportedly fallen out with Emory or was that the CB who left earlier in the window?
It does seem that there is some disagreement between Emery and Duran. Emery seems to think that Duran has his priorities wrong and has put money ahead of a meaningful career.
Apparently, Villa have ‘angrily’ rejected Arsenal’s offer.
Olly Watkins is a really good player, but he is 29 years old. Arsenal chasing him for £60m is absolute desperation.
It’s the kind of signing that we, or any club with a sensible transfer policy, would never make.
Spending £60m on someone who will need to be replaced in 2-3 years with zero resale value is a bad plan. It also prevents them from signing a top striker in the summer. Recent experience buys like Jorginho, Merino, and Sterling hasn’t worked out well too.
How good is he on corners.
I don’t think Villa sound happy though so unless he hands in a request like Torres I can’t see it happening.
It would make sense for Villa if this was July. However they’ve just got through in Europe and will be chasing a European spot and I assume they are still in the FÃ Cup.
Arteta bidding on Watkins, is probably thinking, another barren season leaves him with only 6months to save his job - now a case of shit or bust…!
They must have gotten word that Villa were planning to sell either Duran or Watkins and thought they could get Watkins. They must know that’s dead in the water now though with Duran retiring to Nassr.
He is also completely different stylistically to anything they used since they got rid of PEA at the beginning of Arteta’s first full season. There are huge red flags about making that sort of move for a player of this price at this stage in a season.
It’s a panic buy. I think the main thing driving the bid is a sense that if they don’t win the title this year, they have blown it. City have had their five year blip season and if they don’t capitalise, they won’t get another chance.
There is a lot about Arsenal - their team, their fans, their management - that suggests they thought they were anointed for the title as soon as City had an off season. Like how City faltered in 19/20 and we walked the title.
The difference is that in 19/20 we had already posted a 98 point season and won the European Cup. We were a much better team than anything in this league today, and certainly much better than Arsenal (I think the City and Liverpool teams that went at each other over a four year period between 2018 and 2022 might be the best England has ever seen).
