Arsenal board wanted to veto Arteta transfer for three reasons with Watkins ‘excited’ about joining

Arteta’s preferred candidate, Alexander Isak, was simply out of reach. Enquiries around Benjamin Sesko, who Arsenal continue to follow closely, did not receive an encouraging response — RB Leipzig viewed selling their star player in mid-season as unthinkable. Having committed to a new contract in June 2024, Sesko was intent on seeing out the campaign in Germany.

‘The possibility of a deal for Watkins was first floated during conversations between the two club hierarchies at the Premier League game between the teams on January 18.

‘Villa were always likely to sell one of Watkins or Jhon Duran this window. Manager Unai Emery had struggled to accommodate both in his starting line-up, and allowing one to leave would ease Villa’s PSR issues.

‘Villa were already in talks with Al Nassr about a possible transfer for Duran, but with some degree of doubt over whether that deal would come to fruition, were prepared to entertain the prospect of selling Watkins to Arsenal for £60m.

‘Arteta jumped at the idea. Although Watkins had never previously featured on Arsenal’s recruitment lists, the manager reasoned that here was a Premier League-proven goalscorer who could hit the ground running. A deal would scupper any summer move for Sesko, but with Arsenal’s need for attacking additions becoming urgent, that was a risk the Arsenal manager was prepared to take. For all the 21-year-old Slovenian’s potential, he comes with few guarantees. Watkins, 29, was seen as an established, experienced player who could help Arsenal win now.