Aston Villa given welcome Ollie Watkins boost as Arsenal drop transfer interest in England striker despite January bid

The Gunners attempted to sign the England international with a reported £60 million ($75m) offer at the end of the January transfer window. Watkins was said to be open to the move, but Villa turned down the bid and instead sold Jhon Duran to Al-Nassr in a lucrative move.

Watkins, 29, remains in good form for Villa having scored 13 goals and set up a further six in the Premier League this term. However, Arsenal will not return with a new offer for him in the summer, Sky Sports reports. The Gunners are set to target younger options, including Newcastle star Alexander Isak, Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres and RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko.

Watkins and Villa could still come up against Arsenal this season. Should both teams win their Champions League quarter-final ties, they will meet in the next round.

Watkins will hope to add to his goal tally when his side take on Nottingham Forest on Saturday. Next Wednesday, they will visit Paris Saint-Germain for the first leg of their Champions League tie.