Both of Villa’s strikers are subject to interest in the January transfer window, with their Premier League rivals having a reported £60m bid for Watkins rejected while Duran is set to join Saudi Pro League club Al Nassr.
A Transfer Battle BrewingArsenal have made a bold move for Aston Villa’s star striker Ollie Watkins as Mikel Arteta seeks to strengthen his attacking force
Aston Villa boss Unai Emery, speaking to TNT, on whether Jhon Duran will leave the club: "Tomorrow or Friday we can talk about the transfer, or maybe next week. Until everything is done I don't want to speak because in football everything can happen.
Arsenal have made a bid for Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins as they look to land a striker in the final days of the transfer window - but Mikel Arteta and Unai Emery have remained tight lipped
Aston Villa have rejected a bid from Arsenal for striker Ollie Watkins. The Gunners have stepped up their search for a frontman in the January transfer window by turning their attention to England international Watkins, with the offer reported to be £60million.
Morgan Rogers hit a hat-trick and Ollie Watkins showed exactly why Arsenal want to sign him as Aston Villa went through to the last 16 of the Champions League after a 4-2 win over Celtic.
Watkins went on to score a decisive third goal, his first in the Champions League, before missing a penalty against Celtic, with Morgan Rogers' hat-trick helping them through
Unai Emery said he does not want Ollie Watkins to leave Aston Villa amid interest from Arsenal, but said if Jhon Durán joins Al Nassr then it is "good news."
Despite Aston Villa sealing a Champions League last-16 spot on Wednesday, coach Unai Emery faced questions on the futures of Jhon Duran and Ollie Watkins, with the Spaniard adamant he wants to keep one forward,
Unai Emery insisted Aston Villa will not sell Ollie Watkins after Arsenal reportedly made a £60 million ($74 million) bid just hours before the England striker helped his team reach the Champions League last 16 on Wednesday.
Arsenal face an uphill battle in their bid to sign Ollie Watkins, with Aston Villa unwilling to lose both the England striker and Jhon Duran before Monday’s transfer deadline. The Gunners want to sign a forward in the final days of the window and have had an approach for Watkins turned down.