Chief Aston Villa Unai Emery was grilled at the future by Ollie Watkins and Jhon Duran after a 4-2 win on Wednesday.
Both attackers were sensational associated with the club’s strokes in the accumulation to their key conflict of the Champions League, with Watkins the subject of Prime Minister Leagie Rivals Arsenal-Koji.
In the meantime, Duran was also connected to the exit door, and reports suggest that COL0mbian agreed to join the Saudi Pro League.
Emery at first refused to comment on intense speculations As for his two goalkeepers, but he opened more at a press conference after the match, offering different thoughts about them.
‘Watkins is our striker’ after the Arsenal’s offer was rejected
Asked about Watkins who potentially went to Villa Park before the transfer deadline on Monday, the Spanish boss resolutely answered: “I don’t want to. The good news is to have an offer from other clubs or interest, that’s good.
“But we want to keep our sports goal through the players we have on the team.
“Every player can be on the market in case this is good for the club, player and team, but to achieve this job, of course we will be very demanding and Watkins is our striker.”
Duran to al-Nass would be “good money”
🚨🟡🔵 Jhon Durán to Al Nasr, here we are! A story from earlier tonight confirmed that documents are being prepared.
Aston Villa to receive € 77 million with a fixed fee plus supplements, a long -term contract accepted by Durán.
He is medically reserved tomorrow and then will travel to Saudi immediately after ✈️🇸🇦 pic.twitter.com/m3sn6ots84
– Fabrizio Romano (@fabriziomano) 29 January 2025
But then he was questioned in Duran’s future, Emery seemed more open to the idea of his exit, suggesting that he was any villa that was accepted that he would be a “good money” for the club.
Duran is the top scorer of the villa this season will be 12 goals this season, but he remains behind Watkins in the order ordered and is regularly associated with moves from the club.
Emery said: “The club works, we have to be competitive, of course we develop players and increase our goal, increasing our goal, playing the Champions League.
“Of course, in the eyes of another strong team, strong countries like Saudi Arabia. It is something that can be felt proud because [the players] They improve. We have players who are of interest to other clubs and pay us good money.
“But of course, our goal is to keep our structure on the sports side because we want to keep our level at which we have long and keep it.
“[To answer question]I don’t know exactly until everything is over.
“If he leaves, that’s because it’s good for us. Because we’ve developed a young player in two years. It’s not just a club but [has to work for] Club, player and team.
“I don’t know if he will leave.”
🚨 Aston Villa is determined to dismiss a new approach to Arsenal for Ollie Watkins.
Unai Emery wants Ollie to stay, and Villa did not like the amount of the first offer (£ 60m), also a leak time in front of the UCL game.#Avfc They are focused on Jhon Durán, who will now be sold by Al Nassru. pic.twitter.com/vnslhiglg
– Fabrizio Romano (@fabriziomano) January 30, 2025
Emery: I want Duran here, but what does he want?
Duran showed his extraordinary talent with a series of stunning goals this season, and Emery reiterated that he would rather keep a 21-year-old in the ideal world but admitted that this may not be what the striker wanted.
“With Jhon Duran, you know more or less everything we say here. He is a fantastic young player, a fantastic potential.
“I was so close to him, trying to work with him in his development. But the player has a goal, sometimes they are nasty. If they leave, it’s because they do the other way of my career.
“If he leaves, of course, that’s because he agreed.
“I told you last week, I wanted him here. After West Ham, I told you I wanted him here. But what he wants?”
