Striker Ollie Watkins has told boss Unai Emery he wants to stay at Aston Villa and reject interest from Arsenal. The Gunners made an approach for the England international on Monday but it was knocked back as Villa have no intention of letting the forward leave.

Arsenal have shown some clear interest in Aston Villa goal machine Ollie Watkins but Unai Emery has now chipped in on the future of his star striker.

Ollie Watkins is ‘open’ to joining Arsenal before the transfer deadline if Aston Villa back down and agree a deal with the Gunners. The future of England striker Watkins looks set to be one of the biggest talking points in the final few days of the transfer window after he was the subject of a big-money offer from Arsenal.