Theo Walcott has made a personal plea to Aston Villa forward Ollie Watkins to switch to Arsenal. The Gunners have had a bid rejected already for the Villa ace, but Walcott believes his signing could be key to their title charge. And he reckons there is one huge incentive for the England international to try to force through the move.

THE January transfer window is heating up with some MAJOR moves in the pipeline as Deadline Day quickly approaches. Arsenal are reportedly readying their second bid for Aston Villa’s England

Arsenal show transfer intent as shock Ollie Watkins move proves major point - Mikel Arteta clearly believes there is still plenty left for the Gunners to play for this season

Arsenal may have been handed a slight boost in their bid to sign Aston Villa star Ollie Watkins, with ESPN journalist James Olley stating that the talisman is 'open' to a move to north London - though a deal may not happen in the January transfer window with any potential capture being 'complicated'.

The transfer window is approaching its final week as clubs in the Premier League and across Europe seek to close out deals

Spurs have agreed to sign Manchester City youngster Daniel Batty, while Liverpool are still eyeing Rayan Cherki but could face strong competition. West Ham are busy in the final days of the window, with confidence over Evan Ferguson after a bid for Ricardo Pepi. Follow the latest transfer news, rumours and gossip below!

Arsenal look to have received a major boost over Ollie Watkins as they push for a massive striker deal before Monday’s transfer deadline. The Gunners have seen an opening bid snubbed by Aston Villa, but the England international is now said to be open to joining his boyhood club.

Arsenal were actually offered the chance to sign Ollie Watkins for £60m before making a £40m bid for the player.

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery revealed that Ollie Watkins is "committed" to staying in the Midlands despite extensive transfer interest from Arsenal. The England international was the subject of a surprise bid from the Gunners this week.

Arsenal want to sign a striker before the transfer window shuts and have had an approach turned down for Aston Villa forward Ollie Watkins. The club are also long-term admirers of Newcastle’s Alexander Isak and RB Leipzig frontman Benjamin Sesko, but neither player will move before the deadline.

Reports have circulated indicating that Watkins is keen on swapping Birmingham for Islington, although Unai Emery has issued a conflicting update. In a damaging blow for Arsenal, the Spanish boss claimed that the England international is actually happy to remain at Villa Park.