By Alan Hutton

7th Jan, 2022 | 4:00pm

Pundit issues 'massive' Watkins-Villa transfer claim after Arsenal update

Alan Hutton has insisted Arsenal would have to table an “absolutely ridiculous” bid to prise Ollie Watkins from Aston Villa.

The former Villa defender, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, claimed the Villans would not want to sell to a club they feel have the same ambitions as them.

As reported by ESPN on New Year’s Eve (31 December), Arsenal are in pursuit of Watkins, 26, as a potential replacement for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

However, a summer move is reportedly more likely than a deal being struck this month.

The report claims Mikel Arteta is a big fan of Watkins’ versatility in attack.

Hutton insisted it would take a “massive” bid for Villa to even consider selling up.

Hutton told Football Insider’s Russell Edge: “Look, it would have to be a massive fee. Ultimately, I think Aston Villa have got the same goals as Arsenal.

“We know Arsenal are probably ahead of them at the moment, we can see that.

“But I think that’s where Aston Villa are trying to get to. So if you’re trying to get to that level, why would you sell off your best players?

“You want to keep them, you want to build a team around these guys. I think that’s what the owners want to do.

“So unless it’s an absolutely ridiculous fee, I don’t really see him going anywhere.

“As I said, Aston Villa have the same ambitions as Arsenal in the future. It’s to get into those European places.”

Watkins has scored 21 goals in 56 appearances for Villa since joining in the summer of 2020.

He has netted five times in 16 Premier League games this season.

In other news, Hutton claims rivals plotting “clever” Aston Villa raid after what he has seen on the training ground.