Arsenal have made an approach for Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins, but their initial bid has been rejected by the Premier League club, according to Sky Sports.
The Gunners are reportedly expected to return with an improved offer as they look to strengthen their attacking options before the close of the January transfer window.
However, Villa have made their position clear that Watkins is not for sale, making a potential deal difficult to complete this month.
The development emerged just hours before Aston Villa’s UEFA Champions League clash against Celtic, with Watkins named in the starting lineup for the encounter.
The 29-year-old has enjoyed another productive campaign, scoring 10 Premier League goals so far, including Villa’s equaliser against Arsenal earlier this month.
Watkins, who is known to be an Arsenal supporter, has also established himself as a key player for England. He has scored five goals in 18 appearances for the Three Lions, including the winning goal in their Euro 2024 semi-final victory over the Netherlands.
Meanwhile, Aston Villa forward Jhon Duran is also attracting interest, with Saudi Arabian club Al Nassr reportedly considering a move for the Colombian striker.
