Ex-Aston Villa star Gabby Agbonlahor calls talkSPORT to vent fury at Arsenal’s shock attempt to sign Ollie Watkins – blasting the club’s ‘AUDACITY’

Gabby Agbonlahor has furiously slammed Arsenal’s ‘audacity’ after the Gunners launched a shock attempt to sign Ollie Watkins just hours before both they and Aston Villa were set to play in the Champions League.

Agbonlahor, who played for Aston Villa between 2005 and 2018 and is still the club’s leading Premier League goalscorer in history, called the talkSPORT studio as a fan to vent fury at the timing of Arsenal’s approach.

It is understood the Gunners’ initial offer for Watkins has been rejected but an improved attempt is expected, with Mikel Arteta a long-term admirer of the England international.

The bid came ahead of a huge night of Champions League football, with both Arsenal and Aston Villa vying to secure qualification to the knockout stage against Girona and Celtic respectively.

Meanwhile, Aston Villa are also listening to offers for fellow forward Jhon Duran, who they value at £80million.

Villa have already turned down a £57m offer from West Ham for the Colombian striker this window, with Duran also attracting interest from Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr.

Ex-Aston Villa star and talkSPORT regular Gabby Agbonlahor furiously called in to slam Arsenal

He blasted the ‘audacity’ of Mikel Arteta’s side for launching a bid so close to the important game

Eager to vent his frustration ahead of his appearance on talkSPORT’s breakfast show on Thursday morning, Agbonlahor called in as a fan to speak with Darren Bent, Ally McCoist and Andy Goldstein.

 ‘The audacity of Arsenal on the eve of the game – a massive game tonight for Villa against Celtic – to put in a bid of £60million for Ollie Watkins to go sideways to Arsenal. The audacity of this football club. I’m in shock here,’ the former Villa striker admitted.

‘Villa fans are going to the game in good spirits and now both of our star strikers have had bids in for them. How unsettling is that for both of the players tonight?’

Bent, who also played for Aston Villa during his playing career, asked Agbonlahor how he felt about Watkins previously revealing he had a soft spot for the Gunners.

Agbonlahor replied: ‘Yeah, he came out in 2019 didn’t he to say he’d like to play for Arsenal one day. Listen, it’s really unsettling but knowing the situation, there is zero chance of them selling Watkins. 

‘Duran will be the one they sell because he’s got that side to him where he can be a bit of a handful. The manager won’t accept that. If they can get £75million for him, they will definitely sell Duran. I just don’t like the timing from Arsenal. Who do they think they are?’

It was in 2020, while Watkins was still a Brentford player, that the striker admitted he would love to represent Arsenal in the future.

Admitting he grew up a Gunners fan, Watkins said: ‘That’s the dream, to play for Arsenal one day. But, you know, it’s a long shot.’ 

Agbonlahor fears that news of the bid would ‘unsettle’ the players ahead of Wednesday’s match

The west Midlands club are also in the process of listening to offers for fellow striker Jhon Duran

Aston Villa may opt to part ways with one of their star strikers by the end of the transfer window

Emirates chiefs have identified the forward as the man they believe can ignite their title challenge as they look to haul down Liverpool at the top of the Premier League table.

Villa, however, will believe they are in a strong position given Watkins’ contractual situation and it remains to be seen whether the Gunners can successfully pull off what would be one of the most eye-catching transfers of the January window.

Watkins has scored 10 goals in 31 appearances for Villa this season ahead of Wednesday’s clash with Celtic, one of those coming in the recent 2-2 draw against Arsenal at the Emirates.