Aston Villa have rejected a formal offer from Arsenal for Ollie Watkins, sources have told ESPN. Arsenal want to sign a forward before Monday's transfer deadline and are pursuing alternative options after accepting Benjamin Sesko is unlikely to leave Red Bull Leipzig this month.

Aston Villa have rejected an approach from Arsenal for England striker Ollie Watkins. Sources confirmed to BBC Sport the Gunners made their enquiry for the 29-year-old on Monday. Watkins started in Villa's Champions League game against Celtic on Wednesday night at Villa Park, with reports of a £60m Arsenal bid first surfacing hours before kick-off.

Arsenals’ hopes of landing Ollie Watkins this January transfer window have been dashed after Aston Villa knocked back their offer, according to Fabrizio Romano.The Daily Mail had broke the news