**Aston Villa ‘just accepted Ollie Watkins offer’ in sensational new Arsena transfer twist: Striker edging closer to North London move**
*London – May 27, 2025* — In a dramatic development that has sent shockwaves through the Premier League, reports emerging this afternoon suggest that Aston Villa have *just accepted* an official transfer offer from Arsenal for their star striker Ollie Watkins. The England international, who enjoyed a stellar 2024/25 season with the Villans, is now believed to be on the verge of a high-profile switch to the Emirates Stadium.
According to sources close to both clubs, negotiations reached a breakthrough late Sunday evening, with Aston Villa reluctantly agreeing to a deal believed to be worth around **£65 million**, including add-ons and performance-based incentives. The agreement comes amid growing speculation that Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta sees Watkins as the final piece in the Gunners’ attacking puzzle — a dynamic, Premier League-proven forward capable of delivering 20+ goals per season.
### A transfer twist no one saw comin
Until recently, Watkins appeared destined to remain at Villa Park, with the club publicly insisting he was “not for sale” following their qualification for next season’s UEFA Champions League. The 29-year-old signed a new long-term contract with Villa as recently as October 2023, underlining the club’s ambitions to retain their top talent.
However, sources now claim the player has been *swayed by Arsenal’s long-standing interest* and the opportunity to lead the line for a team pushing for the Premier League title. Despite Villa’s upward trajectory, Watkins is believed to have informed manager Unai Emery of his desire to pursue the move should the right offer arrive.
With Arsenal now reportedly offering a wage package that nearly *doubles* Watkins’ current earnings — and the promise of a key role in a title-challenging squad — the striker’s head was turned.
### Watkins to Arsenal: What it means
If completed, the transfer would represent one of Arsenal’s most significant signings since the arrival of Declan Rice in 2023. Watkins scored **22 goals and registered 9 assists** in the Premier League this past season, finishing as the division’s second-highest scorer behind Erling Haaland. His pace, work ethic, and intelligent movement make him a perfect fit for Arteta’s high-pressing, possession-heavy system.
Arsenal have long sought a reliable and mobile No.9, with Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah often battling injuries and inconsistency. Watkins’ arrival would not only bring firepower but also allow more tactical flexibility, potentially enabling Kai Havertz to operate more freely in midfield or wide areas.
### Reaction from Aston Villa
Aston Villa fans are likely to be stunned — and in many cases, outraged — by the club’s decision to accept an offer for their top scorer, especially on the back of a season where the team finished fourth and reached the Champions League for the first time in over four decades.
Yet insiders suggest that Villa’s hierarchy, led by co-owner Nassef Sawiris and manager Unai Emery, were not entirely opposed to the sale. The club is reportedly eyeing reinforcements in other key areas and sees this as an opportunity to reinvest and reshape the squad, with a shortlist of replacements already being drawn up. Jonathan David (Lille), Viktor Gyökeres (Sporting CP), and Ajax’s Brian Brobbey are among the names being considered.
### What next?
It is expected that Watkins will undergo a medical at Arsenal later this week, with personal terms reportedly *already agreed* in principle. Should everything proceed smoothly, the announcement could be made official before the end of the month — making Watkins the first marquee Premier League transfer of the 2025 summer window.
With pre-season preparations just weeks away, Arsenal are wasting no time in strengthening their squad in a bid to dethrone Manchester City and reclaim the English top-flight title for the first time since 2004.
As for Aston Villa, the focus now shifts to how the club will fill the void left by a player who not only scored crucial goals but embodied the spirit of their resurgence. One thing is clear: the Premier League’s summer drama is only just beginning.
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