Aston Villa have been left unimpressed by the timing of an approach from Arsenal for striker Ollie Watkins on the eve of their Champions League game against Celtic.
It is the second successive time Villa’s preparations for an important Champions League match have been overshadowed by a Premier League rival declaring an interest in one of their players.
West Ham United made a bid for Jhon Duran on the eve of their defeat to Monaco last week and it is understood Arsenal made an offer just under £60 million for Watkins in the build-up to Wednesday night’s visit of Celtic.
Villa have not commented on Arsenal’s interest in Watkins, but it is thought a bid was rejected and that the Midlands club are annoyed by the timing of it and the fact it has been made public.
It remains to be seen whether or not Arsenal make another offer for Watkins, but they are likely to test the water again if they are given any encouragement.
While Arsenal had already qualified for the last 16 of the Champions League by securing a top-eight finish with one game to go, Villa needed to beat Celtic to be in with a chance of also qualifying for the top 16.
Head coach Unai Emery has recently intimated that transfer speculation has been impacting the performances of some of his players, with Duran the subject of constant interest and links.
Villa have privately dismissed any prospect of selling both Watkins and Duran before the transfer window shuts next Monday night and Duran is currently rated as the forward more likely to move.
Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr have declared an interest in Duran and are currently deciding whether to push through a move for either the 21-year-old or Bayer Leverkusen striker Victor Boniface.
Which striker Al-Nassr sign is expected to have a big impact on the remaining days of the transfer window, with a number of deals potentially hanging on it.
Should Villa sell Duran, or Watkins, then they are expected to firm up their interest in Chelsea forward Joao Felix with a bid. Villa are also in negotiations with Chelsea over Axel Disasi.
Chelsea have previously shown an interest in Duran, but, so far, talks over Felix and Disasi are not thought to have included the Colombian.
