🚨EXCLUSIVE: Ollie Watkins has informed Aston Villa of his desire to join Arsenal.
Jesper AVFC 🦁🔥🇩🇰
@VilladanishDK
Its getting more fun now
🚨UPDATE: Aston Villa want Ollie Watkins to submit a FORMAL transfer request, which would forfeit the final £15m on his contract, saving the club from paying it. They are also demanding a £70m transfer fee. Discussions are ongoing.
Just last week I was told city will never sell their players to us because they consider us a direct rival than Chelsea. But now they are not just selling us a player but they are loaning to help us.
Ollie Watkins would be open to joining Arsenal but Villa are determined to keep him.
Arsenal are now weighing up a second offer in hope of reviving the deal but if Duran moves it appears highly unlikely that a renewed bid would succeed.
If a deal is not possible for Watkins, Arsenal are monitoring Bayern Munich forward Mathys Tel, 19, and could launch a move for the Frenchman.
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Probably the worse now transfer but the better long term one.
Can’t help but think we are testing our luck if we don’t get someone in in this window. Yes, there’s a bit of momentum after a few wins and the MLS debacle, but we are still in a situation in which it only takes an injury to a forward to really derail our season… wouldn’t want us to buy for the sake of it, but I would be disappointed if a lone bid for Watkins is the extent of our efforts. Surely, there are other players out there than can improve our chances of success this season.
My niece can't stop talking about how organized and efficient the women side of Arsenal operates compared to what happens with males. We also announced a signing earlier in the day, another American full back.
£60m for Watkins, at a 29? I'm disappointed in Arsenal for them to have priced Watkins at over 50m - I won't pay up to 50 m for him.
Why are Arsenal so desperate now? Has Arteta now realised the necessity of a proven forward in winning the EPL? That would be true confession from the stubborn Mikel.
I'm not sure Arsenal can win the EPL this season with Haaland, or Salah, or Kane, or Mbappe, or Vinicius Jr., or Gyokeres, or Sesko. Not with any striker. It's too late this season, Arteta bungled the transactions last summer when he refused to add a proven goal scorer.
My advise to Arseal will be to suspend plan to get an average striker, take everything in good faith and wait for Sesko or a much younger and top class striker next summer.
Sky sports reporting that Villa invited an offer from Arsenal .... we offered £40m... Villa want £60m. Who knows what the real story is. But £60m for a 29 year old is madness.
first time commenting here..Been following the blog for years..tried to comment when we had a mid of Carzola, Rosicky, and, Diaby though it didn't work.. Anyway, Watkins feels a bit underwhelming till you really think about it
EXCL: Al Nassr approach Brighton & Hove Albion with formal bid to sign Kaoru Mitoma. Proposal for Japan international winger €65m - formally rejected by #BHAFC. 27yo top target to fulfil #AlNassr aim of bolstering in wide attacking areas
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James Benge
Al-Nassr already readying second and final offer worth up to £90 million for Kaoru Mitoma. Brighton are reluctant to sell
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Mad fee. He isn't youngish or that good for that fee. I would be happy to sell Trossard/Marti for a bag that heavy (winter not the ideal moment obviously).
I'm about to get on a flight, but I wanted to get this off my chest. In Ancient Greece, there was a famous sculptor named Polyclitus. My grandfather was a sculptor, my father was a photographer, and I do photography (sculpting light), so I have had this reiterated to me a lot: The famous Polyclitus story is the following: "Polyclitus made two statues at the same time, one which would be pleasing to the crowd and the other according to the principles of his art. In accordance with the opinion of each person who came into his workshop, he altered something and changed its form, submitting to the advice of each. Then he put both statues on display. The one was marvelled at by everyone, and the other was laughed at. Thereupon Polyclitus said, "But the one which you find fault with, you made yourselves; while the one which you marvel at, I made." I think it applies to both the transfer windows and what we have sculpted, and the PGMOL situation. What did Michael Oliver and Darren England do in sculpting the game? Should we sign now or wait for the Summer to sculpt our front line? What is configured vs disfigured? After reading your article I have tempered my enthusiasm with this season Watkins making the difference. I really like Olly wearing an Arsenal jersey, but we need to return to our senses. I don't love that Gabi Jesus, Martinelli, and Trossard are the wingman to Saka. We do need some bling, but I don't know that outrageous spending in January equals bling this Summer.
I dont know who this is but interesting.
🚨EXCLUSIVE: Ollie Watkins has informed Aston Villa of his desire to join Arsenal.
Jesper AVFC 🦁🔥🇩🇰
@VilladanishDK
Its getting more fun now
🚨UPDATE: Aston Villa want Ollie Watkins to submit a FORMAL transfer request, which would forfeit the final £15m on his contract, saving the club from paying it. They are also demanding a £70m transfer fee. Discussions are ongoing.
I mean I know there's a lot of pom pom wavers and excuse makers around here but surely we can all agree that this window has been a disaster. Surely.
There is still time enough for last minute loan. Keep the faith
like sterling?
Nothing good happens this late in the Jan window
last summer too
Just last week I was told city will never sell their players to us because they consider us a direct rival than Chelsea. But now they are not just selling us a player but they are loaning to help us.
is she a striker?
SamiMokbel
Ollie Watkins would be open to joining Arsenal but Villa are determined to keep him.
Arsenal are now weighing up a second offer in hope of reviving the deal but if Duran moves it appears highly unlikely that a renewed bid would succeed.
If a deal is not possible for Watkins, Arsenal are monitoring Bayern Munich forward Mathys Tel, 19, and could launch a move for the Frenchman.
____________________________________________
Probably the worse now transfer but the better long term one.
Can’t help but think we are testing our luck if we don’t get someone in in this window. Yes, there’s a bit of momentum after a few wins and the MLS debacle, but we are still in a situation in which it only takes an injury to a forward to really derail our season… wouldn’t want us to buy for the sake of it, but I would be disappointed if a lone bid for Watkins is the extent of our efforts. Surely, there are other players out there than can improve our chances of success this season.
Are we still signing zubimendi in the summer?
Are we still signing zubimendi in the summer?
'These are not the droids you're looking for.'
Move along.
SkySports
Arsenal are signing Manchester City’s Chloe Kelly on loan until the end of the season!
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We got one over the line!
Marko, rejoice!
My niece can't stop talking about how organized and efficient the women side of Arsenal operates compared to what happens with males. We also announced a signing earlier in the day, another American full back.
Also whatever is going on now is the result of chronic negligence.
A striker should have been signed in the summer of 2023, and the summer of 2024
since auba left no one has been signed.
£60m for Watkins, at a 29? I'm disappointed in Arsenal for them to have priced Watkins at over 50m - I won't pay up to 50 m for him.
Why are Arsenal so desperate now? Has Arteta now realised the necessity of a proven forward in winning the EPL? That would be true confession from the stubborn Mikel.
I'm not sure Arsenal can win the EPL this season with Haaland, or Salah, or Kane, or Mbappe, or Vinicius Jr., or Gyokeres, or Sesko. Not with any striker. It's too late this season, Arteta bungled the transactions last summer when he refused to add a proven goal scorer.
My advise to Arseal will be to suspend plan to get an average striker, take everything in good faith and wait for Sesko or a much younger and top class striker next summer.
Sky sports reporting that Villa invited an offer from Arsenal .... we offered £40m... Villa want £60m. Who knows what the real story is. But £60m for a 29 year old is madness.
Bring Watkins honest to God, we need someone now. Ready made. He is a good player. We are not finding anything better now.
98 goals in 149 games for villa
It was on the seaman says podcast today
Where did you get this from? What I see is 81 goals in 201. 69 in 170.
im pretty sure he needs to force a move at this point. Sad if we dont get anyone
He has said he is gonna force a move if they don't accept
where u see that
first time commenting here..Been following the blog for years..tried to comment when we had a mid of Carzola, Rosicky, and, Diaby though it didn't work.. Anyway, Watkins feels a bit underwhelming till you really think about it
Sid is infamous on here so let’s see how Sidd goes! Welcome !
(Twice the 'd'. Sid will be envious.)
(not an Arsenal news)
David Ornstein
EXCL: Al Nassr approach Brighton & Hove Albion with formal bid to sign Kaoru Mitoma. Proposal for Japan international winger €65m - formally rejected by #BHAFC. 27yo top target to fulfil #AlNassr aim of bolstering in wide attacking areas
_________________________________
James Benge
Al-Nassr already readying second and final offer worth up to £90 million for Kaoru Mitoma. Brighton are reluctant to sell
_________________________________
Mad fee. He isn't youngish or that good for that fee. I would be happy to sell Trossard/Marti for a bag that heavy (winter not the ideal moment obviously).
Crazy they are reluctant to sell for that fee. And how crazy are these fees they are paying these days in the Middle East. Insane money.
I'm about to get on a flight, but I wanted to get this off my chest. In Ancient Greece, there was a famous sculptor named Polyclitus. My grandfather was a sculptor, my father was a photographer, and I do photography (sculpting light), so I have had this reiterated to me a lot: The famous Polyclitus story is the following: "Polyclitus made two statues at the same time, one which would be pleasing to the crowd and the other according to the principles of his art. In accordance with the opinion of each person who came into his workshop, he altered something and changed its form, submitting to the advice of each. Then he put both statues on display. The one was marvelled at by everyone, and the other was laughed at. Thereupon Polyclitus said, "But the one which you find fault with, you made yourselves; while the one which you marvel at, I made." I think it applies to both the transfer windows and what we have sculpted, and the PGMOL situation. What did Michael Oliver and Darren England do in sculpting the game? Should we sign now or wait for the Summer to sculpt our front line? What is configured vs disfigured? After reading your article I have tempered my enthusiasm with this season Watkins making the difference. I really like Olly wearing an Arsenal jersey, but we need to return to our senses. I don't love that Gabi Jesus, Martinelli, and Trossard are the wingman to Saka. We do need some bling, but I don't know that outrageous spending in January equals bling this Summer.
Ollie Watkins made a total of 83 shots on goal in 2023/24 EPL. 4 th highest in the EPL.
Our highest player Saka had 64 at 10th.
Will he get as many shots at Arsenal? His conversion rate isnt as good as Saka or Solanke
To think we probably could have got a fuck tonne of money for Jesus last summer from a Saudi club.