‘Arsenal have also been considering another move for Watkins, having first approached Villa on Monday. That enquiry left the London club with the understanding that the forward may be available for a certain price, although there was at that point a difference of at least £20m in valuation.

Arsenal will decide whether to sign a top Serie A striker - or wait for the summer to try again for Ollie Watkins after his true thoughts were revealed.

Arsenal's late interest in signing Ollie Watkins looks likely to be one of the main stories on transfer deadline day. The Gunners reportedly launched a bid in the final days of January, which was promptly rejected by Aston Villa,