Unai Emery says Ollie Watkins is happy to stay at Aston Villa despite reported interest from Arsenal.
Arsenal are on the market for a new forward after losing Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus to long-term injuries in the past month.
Ahead of Monday’s transfer deadline, the Gunners have had an approach for Watkins turned down with Villa reluctant to sell the England international in the same window where Jhon Duran is expected to join Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr.
Speaking ahead of his side’s Premier League clash with Wolves this weekend, Emery has shared what the 29-year-old told him about staying at Villa Park.
"Yes, he is happy to stay," the Spaniard told reporters in the pre-match press conference. "You can ask him, but we asked him how he is feeling every day, every year he has been here with Aston Villa, with us and without us.
"The commitment of Ollie Watkins with us is a huge commitment. He appreciates a lot how Aston Villa was always supporting him, helping him, and when we [the current coaching staff] joined him here two years ago, how we worked with him, always trying to get the best of him.
"Now we need him, like he needed Aston Villa. The conversation we are having usually, I am speaking with him a lot, he is always adapting of every circumstance we have in the squad and individually with him.
"When there are some teams calling us being interested in the players, of course it is very good for us and very good for the players.
"Some players prefer to leave and some players accept to stay here, to be here and commit with us here and to be with our challenge. One of those is Ollie Watkins."
