Unai Emery wants to keep Ollie Watkins but says Jhon Duran exit is ‘good money’

Aston Villa boss Unai Emery is determined to keep Ollie Watkins at the club this month amid offers from Arsenal but admits Jhon Duran’s potential exit is a good deal.

Both of Villa’s strikers are subject to interest in the January transfer window, with their Premier League rivals having a reported £60million bid for Watkins rejected while Duran is set to join Saudi Pro League club Al Nassr.

Just hours after news of the Gunners’ bid for Watkins broke, he scored for Villa in their 4-2 Champions League win over Celtic which booked a last-16 spot.

Duran was an unused substitute, ahead of a reported €77 million (£64.6million) move to Al Nassr, and was seen saying goodbye to fans at the end of the match.

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— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) January 29, 2025

Emery was defiant in his stance on Watkins’ future, insisting he was “our striker” and that they would be “very demanding” with a price tag if they were to sell him.

Asked if he could say for certain Watkins would not be sold, the Spaniard said: “I don’t want (him to leave).

“It is good news to have offers from other clubs. We want to keep our sporting objective through the players we have in the squad.

“Every player can be in the market if it is good for the player and the club. To get this deal we are going to be demanding. Watkins is our striker.”

Duran was subject to a £57million bid from West Ham last week but now looks set to join Cristiano Ronaldo at Al Nassr, just two months after signing a new deal at Villa Park.

Emery said he wanted the Colombian to stay at the club but that it represents a good deal, with the player also wanting to move on.

“Our players are interesting other clubs and as well [they are] paying good money for us,” he added.

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