The future of England striker Watkins looks set to be one of the biggest talking points in the final few days of the transfer window after he was the subject of a big-money offer from Arsenal.
Arsenal submitted an official bid to Villa, hoping for Watkins to bolster Mikel Arteta’s depleted attacking options, but were knocked back.
The north London club, eyeing a first Premier League title since 2004 and a run in the Champions League, are expected to make an improved bid and have been buoyed by Watkins’ response to the transfer speculation.
According to the Daily Mail, Watkins is interested in a move to the Emirates Stadium and would readily agree terms with Arsenal should they make a breakthrough in talks with Villa.
