Aston Villa remain adamant they do not want to sell Ollie Watkins, as it emerged that Arsenal’s opening offer was around half the price the Midlands club value him at.

With Arsenal weighing up whether to test Villa’s resolve with a second offer, Telegraph Sport understands the opening bid that was immediately rejected was closer to £45 million than the £60 million that was originally reported.

There was annoyance inside Villa Park at the timing of the bid – ahead of the Champions League game against Celtic – and the size of the offer. Sources likened it to West Ham’s £57 million bid for Jhon Durán ahead of the Monaco game that was rejected out of hand.

Neither Arsenal nor Villa would comment on the exact fee offered for Watkins, with Villa believing it was irrelevant given they do not want to sell the 29-year-old in the final days of the transfer window. Arsenal believe their bid represented fair market value and was not timed to cause any problems.

Well-placed insiders believe Villa value Watkins at more than £80 million in the current market, even though they have not set an asking price or given Arsenal a figure to try to hit.

Arsenal are considering whether to make a second bid, but the Premier League title-chasers would have to increase it significantly to stand any chance of changing Villa’s stance. It is unclear whether Villa would be forced to consider an offer if Watkins expressed a desire to leave.

There is also acknowledgement that Durán’s impending move to Saudi Arabia, for an initial £64 million plus add-ons, will make a successful move for Watkins even more difficult for Arsenal.

Villa on Wednesday night dismissed the prospect of selling both their star strikers so close to the end of the transfer window and the club will look to reinvest some of the Durán cash once the move goes through.

Durán was said to have completed a medical in London on Thursday ahead of flying to Saudi Arabia to become an Al-Nassr player.

Villa have been linked with moves for Chelsea pair Axel Disasi and João Félix, and have joined the list of those registering an interest in 19-year-old forward Mathys Tel, who will leave Bayern Munich in this window.

On the future of Watkins, Villa head coach Unai Emery said: “I don’t want [to sell]. It is good news to have offers from other clubs. We want to keep our sporting objective through the players we have in the squad.

“Every player can be in the market if it is good for the player and the club. To get this deal we are going to be demanding. Watkins is our striker.

“We are working, the club is working and trying to compete in the transfer window because we need some players. Some can leave, but it is not the time to speak about it.”

Brighton reject £54m Mitoma offer

Al-Nassr have made an attempt to add another Premier League player to their squad by bidding more than £50 million for Brighton winger Kaoru Mitoma.

Al-Nassr’s offer, worth £54 million, has been rejected by Brighton, who have no interest in selling the Japan international this month.

Telegraph Sport understands that Mitoma is happy on the south coast and is not looking to leave the club, having signed a long-term contract in October 2023.

Mitoma has made 25 appearances in all competitions for Brighton this season, scoring five goals.