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

Arsenal have had a bid rejected by Aston Villa for England striker Ollie Watkins; Watkins has scored 10 goals in 23 games for Villa in the Premier League this season; Gunners expected to return with improved offer;

Arsenal have made a shock approach to sign Ollie Watkins before the end of the January transfer window, talkSPORT understands. However, the Gunners have seen their initial enquiry rejected by

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.

Fabrizio Romano reports that Aston Villa have rejected an offer from Arsenal for Ollie Watkins (29).Arsenal offered a reported £60m to sign Watkins, which was subsequently met with a rejection from

Unai Emery has said strikers Jhon Duran and Ollie Watkins being wanted by other clubs is a sign of Aston Villa’s recent successes. The Athletic reported on Wednesday that Duran is expected to undergo a medical in London on Thursday ahead of a proposed permanent transfer to Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr.

Arsenal have had an approach for Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins turned down as they try to bring in a new forward before Monday’s transfer deadline. Villa boss Unai Emery has stressed his reluctance to lose the England striker,

Unai Emery insists he does not want to lose Ollie Watkins and says Aston Villa will be ‘very demanding’ in any possible deal involving the striker after Arsenal’s failed £60m offer. The Gunners launched a stunning move for Watkins in the final week of the January transfer window but saw their opening bid worth £60m knocked back by Aston Villa.

Ollie Watkins has responded to talk of a January transfer to Arsenal with a clear message while in action for Aston Villa. Despite a bid from Emirates Stadium for his services having been rejected, Unai Emery continued to stick by his striker and named him in the starting XI for the Champions League clash against Celtic on Wednesday.