Furious Agbonlahor calls talkSPORT to vent at Arsenal over Watkins offer

The Gunners have had an opening offer for the striker rejected by Aston Villa.

However, they are ready to make a second bid for Watkins, who they are prepared to pay up to £60million for this month.

Villa are understood to be unhappy with the timing of the approach as both clubs prepare for their final Champions League matches.

Unai Emery's side host Celtic at Villa Park looking to secure a spot in the top eight of the league phase standings.

Despite the bid, Watkins has been named in the starting line-up for the clash.

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Meanwhile, fellow Villa forward Jhon Duran has agreed terms over a potential move to Al Nassr, who have a decision to make over whether they sign the Colombian or Bayer Leverkusen's Victor Boniface. Duran was named in the squad for the Celtic clash.

Agbonlahor is equally angered by Arsenal coming in for Watkins so close to a match.

The former Villa striker explained: "Right boys, the audacity of Arsenal on the eve of the evening of the game, a massive game for Villa tonight 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.

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"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?"

Watkins currently has more than three years remaining on his Villa deal, having signed an extension in October 2023.

The club also have the option of a one-year extension in that contract to keep Watkins at the club until 2029.

However, the 29-year-old is a boyhood Arsenal fan and has previously revealed he would one day want to play for the club.

Asked about those comments, Agbonlahor added: "Yeah, that's what I mean, he's come out, I think it was 2019 maybe, Benty, where he said that he would love to play for Arsenal one day.

"So, 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 £75 million for him, they will definitely sell Duran. But I just don't like the timing from Arsenal. I don't know who the hell they think they are."

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Duran has also attracted interest from the Premier League this month, with West Ham having a bid knocked back earlier in the window.