Arsenal to miss out on top Aston Villa performer as Emery demand results in star being offered bumper new contract

Ollie Watkins and Douglas Luiz of Aston Villa

Arsenal will find it very hard to sign Ollie Watkins from Aston Villa this summer as the striker is in line to receive a lucrative new contract in the west Midlands, according to a report.

Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has identified Watkins as a potential summer recruit in order to provide Gabriel Jesus with top-class cover and competition. As per Italian journalist Rudy Galetti, Watkins is ‘really appreciated’ by Arteta, and the move could coincide with Folarin Balogun’s departure from the Emirates.

Balogun, who has done extremely well while on loan at Stade Reims this season, is a target for European clubs AC Milan, RB Leipzig, Monaco and Marseille.

Unfortunately for Arteta, it looks like he will struggle to bolster his forward options with Watkins’ arrival. Football Insider report that Villa are ready to offer the Englishman a major new contract, with his current terms set to expire in June 2025.

It is claimed that talks between Watkins’ camp and Villa are ‘progressing well’. The two parties believe an agreement could soon occur.

Villa have offered Watkins a big pay rise which will see him earn well over £100,000 a week. He could become the club’s second-highest earner behind Lucas Digne, who reportedly takes home a whopping £160,000 per week.

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Despite Watkins emerging as a target for Arsenal, the 27-year-old has no plans to leave Villa Park any time soon. He is very comfortable there and is enjoying playing under Unai Emery.

The manager in turn views Watkins as a crucial player as he has managed nine goals in Villa’s last 11 Premier League games, helping them to pick up seven wins in that time and move up to sixth in the Premier League table.

Aston Villa follow Emery lead with new Watkins contract

Last week, Emery urged Villa to tie down Watkins to a new deal by saying:  “He deserves to get a new contract, to extend the contract and to get more money. He is deserving. We want to keep him with us.

“We didn’t speak about it (a contract) because we are very happy with him. We are involved every day with our target in front, collectively and individually.”

And it seems Villa have listened to Emery’s demand as they are deep in contract renewal talks with Watkins and his entourage.

The centre-forward is not the only Villa ace to have been targeted by Arsenal. The Gunners have also looked into capturing central midfielder Douglas Luiz.

Arsenal made three offers for Luiz towards the end of the summer transfer window, only to see all three get pushed back by Villa.

Arsenal were convinced Villa would sell the Brazilian as his contract was due to expire in June 2023. However, Villa held firm and have since managed to tie Luiz down until summer 2026.

Arsenal could try again for Luiz later this year, although their top midfield target is thought to be West Ham’s Declan Rice.

Meanwhile, talkSPORT host Laura Woods has discussed whether it would be a ‘failure’ if Arsenal were beaten to the Prem title by Manchester City.