Arsenal make final decision on Watkins summer transfer after shock £40m bid

Ollie Watkins was a surprise transfer target for Arsenal back in January, but the Aston Villa striker is not expected to be targeted again by the Londoners this summer

Arsenal are gearing up for a busy summer transfer window with a new striker at the top of Mikel Arteta's wishlist. But there are seemingly no plans to rekindle their interest in Ollie Watkins after their failed January swoop for the Aston Villa star.

Watkins, 29, emerged as a surprise target for the Gunners in the winter transfer window. They saw a £40million offer rejected for the England forward, though, with Villa reluctant to sell both him and Jhon Duran, who ended up moving to the Saudi Pro League in a big-money deal.

With Arsenal in need of attacking reinforcements, there had been speculation they would make a fresh attempt to lure Watkins - a boyhood Gunners fan - to The Emirates. But that may not be the case.

According to Sky Sports, Arsenal have their sights set on a number of younger targets, with their interest in Watkins now 'cooled'.

A number of top No.9's have been linked with Arsenal already ahead of the summer, including Benjamin Sesko. The RB Leipzig striker was a top target last year, only for the player to go on and sign a new contract with his current club.

He and Sporting Lisbon's Viktor Gyokeres are two Arsenal targets who are expected to be on the move in the transfer window. Alexander Isak is also admired but is unlikely to leave Newcastle.

As well as adding a new No.9 to the squad, Arsenal are also expected to step up their interest in the Athletic Bilbao winger, Nico Williams. The 22-year-old, like Sesko, is a long-term target and has been scouted for more than two years.

Reports in Spain earlier this week claimed that Arsenal's new sporting director, Andrea Berta, has already held talks with the player's representatives ahead of a potential summer move. The Euro 2024 winners has other high-profile admirers and will not be short on suitors if he does opt to pursue a move in the summer.

Martin Zubimendi, the former Liverpool target, is another player on Arsenal's wishlist. It's understood a deal worth £51million to bring the playmaker to north London is at an advanced stage.