Ollie Watkins has turned down Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United to stay at Aston Villa, according to a report.
Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins turns down Arsenal, Tottenham and Newcastle
TEAMtalk have reported that Arsenal, Tottenham and Newcastle all want to sign Watkins from Premier League rivals Aston Villa in the summer transfer window.
The report has claimed that the Gunners, Spurs and the Magpies “all expressed an interest in the 27-year-old via his representatives”.
However, the striker has decided to stay at Villa and sign a new contract.
The Villans will reportedly announce the new deal soon.
HITC Verdict: Strange decision
In our view, that Ollie Watkins has turned down Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United to stay at Aston Villa is a strange decision.
Okay, Villa are a big club and the 27-year-old is flourishing under manager Unai Emery, but Arsenal, Newcastle and Tottenham all are bigger and more ambitious.
Arsenal could win the Premier League title, Tottenham could finish in the top four, and Newcastle could end up in the UEFA Champions League next season.
And the Gunners, Spurs and the Magpies all are expected to challenge for major trophies in the coming years.
Described as “unstoppable” by former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher on Twitter this month, Watkins has scored 14 goals and given six assists in 30 Premier League starts for the Villans so far this season.
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