The Gunners are actively trying to secure the services of the England international striker in the January transfer window and could make a second offer after their opening bid was turned down

Arsenal have turned their attention to Ollie Watkins as they try and secure January reinforcements for Mikel Arteta's attack. Villa have rejected a bid from the Gunners for their striker with the end of the winter transfer window looming less than a week away.

Arsenal had to go down their transfer pecking order before deciding to launch a bid for Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins according to former Gunners midfielder Emmanuel Petit

Plus: Marco Asensio, Joao Felix and Matheus Cunha are being eyed by Aston Villa; Al Nassr are weighing up a shock move for Man City midfielder Mateo Kovacic; Kevin De Bruyne is open to extending his Man City contract;

Aston Villa have rejected a formal offer from Arsenal for Ollie Watkins, sources have told ESPN. Arsenal want to sign a forward before Monday's transfer deadline and are pursuing alternative options after accepting Benjamin Sesko is unlikely to leave Red Bull Leipzig this month.

Arsenal would ‘prefer’ to sign two alternative strikers to Ollie Watkins but have ‘panicked’ in the final week of the transfer window, according to former Gunners midfielder Emmanuel Petit. The north London club are considering making a second offer for England international Watkins after seeing their opening £60m bid rejected by Aston Villa.

Marrying his attacking and creative attributes together, Watkins’ off-ball running is also a key part of his wider contribution to his team going forward. Across the Premier League, he is one of the men most likely to stretch the opposition’s defensive line with his intelligent movement.

TBR Football chief correspondent Graeme Bailey shares why Aston Villa are so angry with Arsenal over their £60million bid for Ollie Watkins.

Hours before both teams engaged in their UEFA Champions League phase deciders, Arsenal reportedly launched a late bid for Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins.

While Saka must be a fan of his countryman, Unai Emery hinted Watkins will snub Arsenal and stay at Aston Villa after they beat Celtic 4-2 in the Champions League on Wednesday night. Declan Rice has also spent a number of years playing with the Arsenal target for England and against him as well.

Arsenal did not offer as much as £60million to Aston Villa for England striker Ollie Watkins, according to a report from The Telegraph.