Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins is set to stay at the club and sign a new contract amid links with a summer move to Arsenal.
That is according to a new report from 90Min, who claim that Watkins is ‘finalising terms’ over a deal to stay with Villa.
It’s unclear just how long Watkins is committing to Villa, but the decision will kill off rumours about his immediate future.
Watkins has been linked with a move to Arsenal ahead of the summer window.
Transfer reporter Rudy Galetti claimed in March that Mikel Arteta was asking Arsenal to sign Watkins.
That could have appealed as Watkins told Pro Direct Soccer in 2022 that he was a ‘big Arsenal fan’ growing up.
Watkins also admitted back in his Brentford days that his ultimate dream was to play for Arsenal one day.
Yet whilst Arsenal appear to be keen, Watkins is happy and settled with Villa and looks set to commit his future to Unai Emery’s side.
Ollie Watkins is in ridiculous form right now
Watkins has really taken his game to another level under Unai Emery.
The 27-year-old scored twice against Newcastle United at the weekend and has now scored in four successive Premier League games.
Watkins’ record is now 11 goals in his last 12 Premier League appearance, seemingly destroying all in his path.
The former Brentford man was bound to attract major interest this summer and Arsenal were seemingly looking at him to support Gabriel Jesus.
Villa are really moving forward under former Arsenal boss Unai Emery though and Watkins wants to stick around for the project.
This new deal would be an enormous boost for Villa as they seek to gatecrash the top four after seven wins in the last eight.
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