Arsenal are preparing an audacious bid for an England striker who made the final squad for Euro 2024.

The Gunners are putting together a £65m offer to Aston Villa  in an attempt to land Ollie Watkins. 

The coveted centre-forward hit 19 goals in 37 Premier League games as Unai Emery's side ended the season in fourth place. 

Despite the Villa Park outfit qualifying for the Champions League for the frist time in more than 40 years, the prospect of playing as main striker in Mikel Arteta's title challengers would be a huge draw for the Three Lions forward - who made the 26 man cut for Gareth Southgate's side for the forthcoming football jamboree in Germany. 

Sporting director Edu is keen to announce a marquee signing before the Arsenal squad re-convene for pre-season in July, with boss Arteta aiming for the new signing to bed in during the club's Stateside summer tour which includes matches vs Manchester United in Los Angeles and Liverpool in Philadelphia. 

The Gunners are also aiming to announce a third match on their tour against another English side - which could feature a friendly against Bournemouth who plan to be in nearby Las Vegas at the same time. 

Striker Watkins made the leap from League Two side Exeter to the Premier League with Aston Villa in just three years.

The 28-year-old is also in the frame to start in today's (Friday, June 7) last Euro 2024 warm up game for the Three Lions vs the minnows of Iceland as the Arsenal target gears up for his first major international tournament.