Unai Emery said he does not want Ollie Watkins to leave Aston Villa amid interest from Arsenal, but said if Jhon Durán joins Al Nassr then it is "good news."

Hours before both teams engaged in their UEFA Champions League phase deciders, Arsenal reportedly launched a late bid for Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins.

Arsenal have turned their attention to Ollie Watkins as they try and secure January reinforcements for Mikel Arteta's attack. Villa have rejected a bid from the Gunners for their striker with the end of the winter transfer window looming less than a week away.

Aston Villa have rejected a formal offer from Arsenal for Ollie Watkins, sources have told ESPN. Arsenal want to sign a forward before Monday's transfer deadline and are pursuing alternative options after accepting Benjamin Sesko is unlikely to leave Red Bull Leipzig this month.

Arsenal have had an approach for Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins turned down as they try to bring in a new forward before Monday’s transfer deadline.

Arsenal have had a bid rejected by Aston Villa for England striker Ollie Watkins; Watkins has scored 10 goals in 23 games for Villa in the Premier League this season; Gunners expected to return with i

And if the move goes through, Arsenal 's chances of securing Watkins may go up in smoke. The one sign of encouragement for Emirates chiefs is Al-Nassr's ongoing pursuit of Bayer Leverkusen striker Victor Boniface.

Unai Emery has said strikers Jhon Duran and Ollie Watkins being wanted by other clubs is a sign of Aston Villa’s recent successes. The Athletic reported on Wednesday that Duran is expected to undergo a medical in London on Thursday ahead of a proposed permanent transfer to Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr.

Aston Villa boss Unai Emery, speaking to TNT, on whether Jhon Duran will leave the club: "Tomorrow or Friday we can talk about the transfer, or maybe next week. Until everything is done I don't want to speak because in football everything can happen.