Aston Villa are apparently on the verge of signing a new long-term contract for star striker Ollie Watkins, effectively putting any rumors of a move to Premier League rivals Arsenal or Chelsea to rest.
The seven-time England international went to Villa Park in the summer of 2020, with the Villains paying Brentford a then-club record £33 million price. Despite some skepticism about the fee, Watkins has more than earned his grain at Villa. Indeed, he has scored in double figures in each of his three full seasons to far, totaling 47 goals and 15 assists in 142 appearances.
His contract at Villa Park is set to expire in 2025, and there has recently been conjecture that some of the Premier League’s top spenders are looking longingly in Watkins’ direction. To that purpose, both Chelsea and Arsenal are looking for new strikers in 2024, and Watkins’ name has been strongly linked with both of the London clubs.
Indeed, according to sources on Tuesday, the 27-year-old’s agent, Paulo Vernazza, has already held preliminary negotiations with Arsenal officials about a possible future move to Emirates.
Chelsea, on the other hand, have lacked a cutting edge all season and have mostly struggled to find a trustworthy No 9 on whom they can hang their hat in attack, with a series of high-priced recruits failing to live up to expectations at Stamford Bridge.
Unai Emery, on the other hand, has made no secret of his desire to extend Watkins’ contract at Villa Park and assure the striker’s future in claret and blue.
