Ollie Watkins

[pauliewalnuts]

If you think we'd sell both, now, you must be mental.

Indeed.

If we did that, Monchi would need dunking in the canal. He’d have to be some sort of malign presence to do that.

Last sixteen of the champions league and selling both our strikers? The only thing more stupid than that would be to then go off and offer West Ham something for Danny Ings.

[ozzjim]

He'll be a bench warmer when the Arsenal forwards are back off injury. He'd be far better to stick with us and see where it takes him.

He would immediately become Arsenal’s best, and first-choice striker.
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He'll be a bench warmer when the Arsenal forwards are back off injury. He'd be far better to stick with us and see where it takes him.

He would immediately become Arsenal’s best, and first-choice striker.

Considering they have come second the last couple of seasons, the fact their bidding £60m at the end of Jan for a 29 year old striker that isn't a natural finisher and he'd become their best one immediately says a lot about their recruitment. They have the money to go and get a Sesko or Gykores type that would massively improve them.

[Olneythelonely]

He'll be a bench warmer when the Arsenal forwards are back off injury. He'd be far better to stick with us and see where it takes him. It would be sending out an odd signal by the club to get rid of some our most valuable players in January.

He’d easily be their best striker and would be a nailed on starter. We won’t sell him AND Duran though.

[Monty]

He'd be their best striker, but he isn't suited to them. They need someone who ideally does both (but at least does one) of i) intricately linking their final third play and ii) significantly upping their chance conversion rate. For all that we debate Ollie's finishing, one thing it is not is obviously exceptional.

If you think we're harsh on him, imagine Arsenal Fan TV after their 80m quid striker misses a big chance against Chelsea.

[Bent Neilsens Screamer]

He'll be a bench warmer when the Arsenal forwards are back off injury. He'd be far better to stick with us and see where it takes him. It would be sending out an odd signal by the club to get rid of some our most valuable players in January.

Who are the other forwards you speak of who are better than Ollie?

[ROBBO]

Watkins is going nowhere (sigh)

[Beard82]

I cant see any possible way in which we sell both - under any circustances beyond them both having clauses that are activated.

If we do sell both - we might as well give up now - we're not getting another striker better than either of these anytime soon.  The club has to ensure it doesnt hhappen.

[ASHTONVILLA]

It has to be very unlikely that we would sell both Watkins and Duran in the same window. Not impossible though as the club is open that every player is told a price they can go for.

I can see us letting him go in the summer while he can still command a high fee. Wouldn't be surprised if we have a good free transfer lined up for the summer (David maybe).

[Rigadon]

I cant see any possible way in which we sell both - under any circustances beyond them both having clauses that are activated.

If we do sell both - we might as well give up now - we're not getting another striker better than either of these anytime soon.  The club has to ensure it doesnt hhappen.

You've identified the circumstances in your post.  If that happens I'm not sure there is anything the club can actually do other than get the release clause money and try and spend it.  As you say, we may as well give up this season if it happens, because it's' very difficult to see how we'd have time to replace them.  It feels like Arsenal have waited right until the end of the window too, which is total lack of respect and actually feels like it's designed to fuck us over.

[Beard82]

I cant see any possible way in which we sell both - under any circustances beyond them both having clauses that are activated.

If we do sell both - we might as well give up now - we're not getting another striker better than either of these anytime soon.  The club has to ensure it doesnt hhappen.

You've identified the circumstances in your post.  If that happens I'm not sure there is anything the club can actually do other than get the release clause money and try and spend it.  As you say, we may as well give up this season if it happens, because it's' very difficult to see how we'd have time to replace them.  It feels like Arsenal have waited right until the end of the window too, which is total lack of respect and actually feels like it's designed to fuck us over.

I dont think Duran has a release clause - or if so I dobut it has been triggered - 77m + a bit isnt a "the release claus being met".    I think the Arsenal one is purely opportunistic, they are thinking - Villa might not want to sell Duran - so lets give them another options whilst Villa still have the choice.

So with all that said - I cant see that we will let the Duran deal go through until were 100% Ollie isnt going. 

[Rigadon]

Not sure Beard, I think they all have release clauses these days don’t they?

[Beard82]

Not sure Beard, I think they all have release clauses these days don’t they?

Yeah - they may well do.  But I dont think Durans has been met.  Otherwise why would they offer add ons?  Unless they are worse at negotating then me

[Walmley_Villa]

Classless move by Arsenal which seems to be their modus operandi these days - something for their fans to get excited about and flood social media as to why we have to sell, he'll be desperate to come etc....also laying a bit of groundwork for a potential Summer bid

[Smithy]

I think Arsenal are just playing silly buggers.  I suspect they know Ollie is unlikely to move, but it shows their fans that they're "trying" and it might lay some groundwork if they come back for him in the summer. 

If we miss out on Champions League, Ollie might feel different about a move in the summer, and we might want to cash in.  But now? No chance, unless Mochi/Unai have someone like Osimhen/David/Boniface immediately lined up to come in - even then, I just don't see it.

[Nii Lamptey]

Not sure why we're arguing if Ollie would be Arsenal's best striker or not. He's not going fucking anywhere!
He offers our team and style of play so much more than goals and assists - It would be nigh on impossible to replace him with someone like for like no matter how much money is available.

We could theoretically challenge Arsenal, who have arguably taken a backwards step this season. WHY would we give up one of our prized assets to a direct competitor?

We lose Watkins, I'm done with football. The Duran thing is bad enough, but with ticket pricing, general commercialisation of everything... if we sell Watkins, I think this will be my last season.

We should be on a crest of a wave right now - We qualify for the champions league and have to sell Dougie and Diaby. We qualify for the last 16 and there's talk of selling BOTH of our strikers?! I mean, what the fuck is actually going on with football right now??