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.

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.

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 £60million bid for Ollie Watkins rejected by Aston Villa and Gunners legend Martin Keown believes there is no chance the Villans will let the striker leave

Arsenal face an uphill battle in their bid to sign Ollie Watkins, with Aston Villa unwilling to lose both the England striker and Jhon Duran before Monday’s transfer deadline. The Gunners want to sign a forward in the final days of the window and have had an approach for Watkins turned down.

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.