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 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