Arsenal’s hopes of signing Ollie Watkins ends due to one specific reason

Arsenal’s pursuit of a new striker before the January transfer window closes has suffered a major blow, as Aston Villa’s Jhon Durán is set to complete a move to Saudi Pro League side Al Nassr. According to The Athletic, the 21-year-old Colombian forward will undergo a medical in London on Thursday ahead of a €77 million transfer, including add-ons, with a five-and-a-half-year contract already agreed in principle.

Durán’s imminent departure significantly impacts Arsenal’s hopes of signing Villa’s other star striker, Ollie Watkins. Mikel Arteta has been keen to reinforce his attacking options, with Watkins emerging as a priority target for the Gunners. However, with Durán set to leave, Aston Villa are now highly unlikely to sanction the sale of Watkins in the same window, as they would be left with limited options up front.

Arsenal had made initial inquiries about Watkins, with reports suggesting a potential bid in the region of £60 million. However, Villa manager Unai Emery has been reluctant to let go of the 29-year-old forward, who has been in excellent form this season, scoring 10 goals and providing five assists in the Premier League.

With Durán heading to Saudi Arabia, Villa’s stance on Watkins is expected to harden further. Selling both strikers in the same window would leave them desperately short of attacking firepower, and replacing a player of Watkins’ quality this late in the window would be extremely challenging. As a result, Arsenal’s hopes of securing the England international now appear slim.

The news is a frustrating setback for Arsenal, who have been actively seeking a new striker to boost their title challenge. The Gunners are currently second in the Premier League table with 47 points after 23 games, trailing leaders Liverpool. With Gabriel Jesus struggling for consistent form and fitness, and Arsenal had identified Watkins as a potential solution to their attacking concerns.

Despite the setback, Arsenal may still explore alternative options before the transfer deadline. The club has been linked with several other strikers in recent weeks, including Napoli’s Victor Osimhen and Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyökeres, though both deals would be extremely difficult to complete mid-season.

Meanwhile, for Villa, Durán’s departure represents a significant financial boost, with the club set to receive a substantial fee for a player who has primarily been a backup option. The Colombian forward has struggled for regular game time at Villa Park since arriving from MLS side Chicago Fire in 2023, but his potential has attracted the interest of Saudi clubs looking to strengthen their squads.

Arsenal now have just a few days left to reassess their striker targets before the window shuts. Whether they push for another forward or decide to wait until the summer remains to be seen, but for now, Watkins looks set to remain at Villa Park.

With crucial fixtures coming up, including a showdown with Manchester City at the Emirates on February 2, Arteta will have to find solutions within his squad to maintain Arsenal’s title push. The failure to land a new striker could prove costly, but the Gunners remain in contention for silverware on multiple fronts.