Aston Villa boss Unai Emery was grilled on the futures of Ollie Watkins and Jhon Duran after Wednesday’s 4-2 win over Celtic.
Both strikers were sensationally linked with moves away from the club inthe build-up to their crucial Champions League clash, with Watkins the subject of a bid from Premier Leagie rivals Arsenal – which was promtly rejected.
Duran, meanwhile, was also linked with the exit door, with reports suggesting the Col0mbian has agreed to join Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr.
Emery initially refused to comment on the intense speculation regarding his two goalscorers but opened up more in the post-match press conference, offering up differing thoughts on the two.
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‘Watkins is our striker’ after Arsenal bid rejected
Asked about Watkins potentially departing Villa Park before Monday’s transfer deadline, the Spanish boss emphatically responded: “I don’t want. It is good news to have an offer from other clubs, or interest, it is good.
“But we want to keep our sporting objective through the players we have in the squad.
“Every player can be in the market in case it is good for the club, the player and the team but to get this deal of course we are going to be very demanding as well and Watkins is our striker.”
Duran to Al-Nassr would be ‘good money’
🚨🟡🔵 Jhon Durán to Al Nassr, here we go! Story from earlier tonight confirmed as documents are being prepared.
Aston Villa to receive €77m fixed fee plus add-ons, long term deal accepted by Durán.
Medical booked tomorrow and then he will travel to Saudi right after ✈️🇸🇦 pic.twitter.com/m3SN6ots84
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 29, 2025
But then quizzed on Duran’s future, Emery seemed more open to the idea of his exit, suggesting any sale Villa agree to would be “good money” for the club.
Duran is Villa’s top scorer will 12 goals this season but remains behind Watkins in the pecking order and is regularly linked with moves away from the club.
Emery said: “The club is working, we have to be competitive, of course we are developing players and increasing our objective, increasing our target, playing Champions League.
“Of course, we in the eyes of another strong team, strong countries like Saudi Arabia. It is something as well I can feel proud of because [the players] are improving. We have players who are of interest to other clubs and paying good money to us.
“But of course our objective is to keep our structure on the sport side because we want to keep our level that we are at and to keep it for a long time is hard.
“[To answer question], I don’t know exactly until everything is done.
“If he is leaving it is because it is a good deal for us. Because we have developed a young player in two years. It is not only club, it [has to work for] club, player and team.
“I don’t know if he is going to leave.”
🚨 Aston Villa are determined to reject new approach from Arsenal for Ollie Watkins.
Unai Emery wants Ollie to stay and Villa didn’t like amount of first bid (£60m), also timing of the leaks ahead of UCL game.#AVFC are focused on Jhon Durán to be sold to Al Nassr now. pic.twitter.com/vnslhIGRlG
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 30, 2025
Emery: I want Duran here, but what does he want?
Duran has showcased his extraordinary talent this season with a number of stunning goals and Emery reiterated that he would rather keep the 21-year-old in an ideal world – but conceded it may not be what the striker wants.
“With Jhon Duran, you know more or less everything we are speaking here. He is a fantastic young player, fantastic potential.
“I was so close with him, trying to work with him in his development. But the player has the objective, sometimes they are impassioned. If they are leaving it is because they are doing another way in their career.
“If he is leaving, of course it is because he has agreed.
“I told you last week, I wanted him here. After West Ham, I told you I wanted him here. But what does he want?”
