Arsenal have made a shock offer for Aston Villa and England striker Ollie Watkins in the final week of the January transfer window.
Mikel Arteta is desperate to sign a new striker before the winter window closes on Monday night after losing Gabriel Jesus to a season-ending injury earlier in the month.
Kai Havertz also continues to flatter to deceive up top, though Arteta has repeatedly defended a player he signed from London rivals Chelsea for £65m.
Arsenal have been linked with Benjamin Sesko, Dusan Vlahovic and Victor Osimhen in recent weeks but are now looking closer to home in the form of Aston Villa striker Watkins.
The Daily Mail say Arsenal have approached Villa with a sensational offer for Watkins, who has been one of the most consistent forwards in the Premier League over the last three seasons.
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The offer, which is believed to be worth around £60m, was rejected by Aston Villa. Arsenal are expected to follow-up with another bid.
Arteta is said to be a long-term admirer of Watkins, who has reached double figures in the Premier League in each of his last five campaigns.
Watkins enjoyed his most prolific season to date last year, netting 27 goals in all competitions to help Aston Villa qualify for the Champions League under Unai Emery, previously of Arsenal.
Ex-Brentford talisman Watkins, 29, played a limited but crucial role for England at last summer’s Euros, scoring an injury-time winner in the semi-final victory over the Netherlands.
There were calls throughout the tournament for Gareth Southgate to start Watkins ahead of England’s all-time record goalscorer Harry Kane.
Watkins is contracted to Aston Villa for another three years but could be tempted to join Arsenal, the club he supported growing up.
In 2020, while playing for Brentford, Watkins admitted it would be his ‘dream’ to play for Arsenal, adding: ‘But, you know, it’s a long shot.’
Arsenal chiefs believe Watkins could be the player they need to fire Arteta’s side to Premier League glory in the second-half of the season.
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The Gunners are six points behind leaders Liverpool, who have a game in hand. Aston Villa, meanwhile, are eighth as they juggle domestic and European commitments.
Emery’s team have qualified for the next round of the Champions League but may go into a play-off for the knockout stages, depending on the outcome of their final group game against Celtic and results elsewhere.
Villa will have been taken aback by Arsenal’s sensational approach as it is their other striker, Jhon Duran, who has been linked with a move away from the club this month.
Arsenal, Chelsea and West Ham have all expressed interest in signing Duran but he could now be set for a move to Saudi Pro League side Al-Nassr.
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