Gabby Agbonlahor struck the 'Audacity' of Arsenal after the Gunners launched a shock attempt to sign Ollie Watkins, just a few hours before both she and Aston Villa play in the Champions League.
Agbonlahor, who played for Aston Villa between 2005 and 2018 and is still the leading Premier League goalkeeper of the club in history, called the Talksport Studio as a fan to open anger in the timing of Arsenal's approach.
It is understanding that the initial range of the Gunners for Watkins has been rejected, but an improved attempt is expected, with Mikel Arteta a long -term admirer of the English International.
The bid occurred on a huge night of Champions League football, where both Arsenal and Aston Villa compete to guarantee the qualification for the knockout phase against Girona and Celtic respectively.
In the meantime, Aston Villa also listen to offers for colleague attacker Jhon Duran, who appreciate £ 80 million.
Villa has already rejected a range of £ 57 million from West Ham for the Colombian striker this window, in which Duran also attracts interest from Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr.
Agbonlaor wanted to express his frustration prior to his appearance at the breakfast show of Talksport, Agbonlaor called on as a fan to speak with Darren, Ally McCoist and Andy Goldstein.
'The courage of Arsenal on the eve of the game – a huge match tonight for Villa against Celtic – to make an £ 60 million bid for Ollie Watkins to go aside to Arsenal. The courage of this football club. I am here in Shock, 'the former Villa striker admitted.
'Villa fans go to the game in a good mood and now both galaxies have bids for them. How disturbing is that for both players tonight? '
Bent, who also played for Aston Villa during his gaming career, asked Agbonlahor how he felt about Watkins who previously revealed that he had a weakness for the Gunners.
Agbonlaor replied: 'Yes, he came out in 2019, not to say that one day he would play before Arsenal. Listen, it's really disturbing, but knowing the situation there is no chance that they will sell Watkins.
“Duran will be the one who sells them because he has that direction for him where he can be a little handful. The manager does not accept that. If they can get £ 75 million for him, they will certainly sell Duran. I just don't like the timing of Arsenal. Who do they think they are? '
It was in 2020, while Watkins was still a Brentford player, that the striker admitted that he would like to represent Arsenal in the future.
Watkins admitted that he grew up a Gunners fan and said: 'That is the dream to play for Arsenal one day. But you know, it's a long chance. '
Emirates Chiefs have identified the attacker if the man who, according to them, can ignite their title challenge if they can get Liverpool at the top of the Premier League table.
Villa, however, will believe that they are in a strong position, given the contractual situation of Watkins and it is still to be seen whether the Gunners can successfully collect what one of the most striking transfers of the January window would be.
This season Watkins scored 10 goals in 31 performances for Villa prior to Wednesday's collision with Celtic, one of those in the recent 2-2 draw against Arsenal in the Emirates.
Comments