Arsenal show transfer intent as shock Ollie Watkins move proves major point - Mikel Arteta clearly believes there is still plenty left for the Gunners to play for this season

Arsenal made an unexpected bid for Aston Villa striker Watkins – who has contributed ten goals and five assists in 23 Premier League appearances this term – with initial reports claiming they offered £60m but it was revealed yesterday that the bid was more like £45m.

Arsenal saw a £60million bid for Ollie Watkins rejected by Aston Villa on Thursday, with Mikel Arteta refusing to rule out a move for the striker before the end of the January window

The transfer window is approaching its final week as clubs in the Premier League and across Europe seek to close out deals

Mikel Arteta is said to be a long-standing admirer of the England striker, and the Gunners are now working on what would be a stunning swoop ahead of next week's winter transfer deadline. The odds are stacked against Arsenal, given that Watkins has more than three years left to run on his contract and is a key player for Unai Emery.

Arsenal’s intention to make another approach to Aston Villa over Ollie Watkins has been confirmed by Fabrizio Romano.

Arsenal have left it late in the transfer window but they are trying to sign a striker. It was the case before Gabriel Jesus was ruled out for the season with injury and is still the case now. The timing of the news of a bid for Ollie Watkins should not be confused,

Ollie Watkins has already revealed that Arsenal would be his ‘dream’ transfer destination. The Gunners are reported to have launched a surprise move for the Aston Villa forward in the final week of the January window.

Ollie Watkins has emerged as a late transfer target for Arsenal after first reported by Secret Scout and the club have seen a bid in the region of £60million rejected by the club - football.london have been told that a bid was not made by the club on Wednesday,

Arsenal are yet to make a signing in the January transfer window but are continuing to be linked with a host of players, with Ollie Watkins, Mathys Tel and a Liverpool star among them