Arsenal's bid for Ollie Watkins so late in the January transfer window shows a lack of forward planning at the North London club.

Arsenal are expected to make an improved second attempt to sign 29-year-old Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins, who grew up as an Arsenal fan. (Mail) The Gunners are ready to make Bayern Munich an offer for 19-year-old Mathys Tel before the close of the January transfer window.

Arsenal face an uphill battle in their bid to sign Ollie Watkins, with Aston Villa unwilling to lose both the England striker and Jhon Duran before Monday’s transfer deadline. The Gunners want to sign a forward in the final days of the window and have had an approach for Watkins turned down.