Former Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill admitted he would be "apoplectic" after Arsenal made a late move for Ollie Watkins.

The Gunners have set their sights on the English striker in the final few days of the January transfer window after injuries to Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Jesus. A £60m offer has reportedly been rejected, with an improved proposal expected before the deadline.

Watkins has enjoyed an illustrious five years at Villa Park since joining from Brentford in the summer of 2020. He has scored 69 goals, just six shy of Villa's all-time leading Premier League goal scorer Gabby Agbonlahor.

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The 29-year-old has scored 11 goals and assisted nine times in all competitions so far this season. While he played an instrumental role in England's run to the final of Euro 2024 in the summer.

Performances that have seen him linked with a number of top clubs, so there's no surprise at Arsenal's interest. Though Villa are furious at the timing of the news getting leaked, on the night of their 4-2 win over Celtic in the UEFA Champions League.

Speaking to TNT Sports ahead of the European clash, O'Neill, who was in charge of the Villans from 2006 to 2010, vented his own fury: "Never mind the matchday, just think about how close it is to transfer deadline day, and you have got a bid in for your top striker. I would be apoplectic, I must admit."

Uncertainty also surrounds Jhon Duran's future at the club after interest from Saudi Arabia. Villa are said to have agreed a deal worth €77m plus add-ons with Cristiano Ronaldo's Al Nassr, with the Colombian travelling to London for a medical on Thursday.

O'Neill added: "I feel as though Aston Villa, if they want to progress, must try and keep them here at the football club. I know it is supposedly a big offer, but January transfer window, I would not be having it."