Can Ollie Watkins play in Champions League for Arsenal? Rules explained after £60m bid

Arsenal are expected to make another offer to sign Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins before the end of the January transfer window. The England international was subject to a £60million bid from the Gunners on Wednesday.

Villa, who do not want to lose Watkins, rejected the bid, but Mikel Arteta's side are set to come back in with a second proposal ahead of next Monday's deadline. Arsenal are keen to strengthen their forward line and have identified Watkins as a top target - less than two weeks after scoring against them for Villa.

But if Watkins made the move to Arsenal, would he be able to play in the Champions League? The Gunners secured automatic progression to the last 16 with a 2-1 win over La Liga side Girona and finished third in the new league phase format. It means that Arteta's side will avoid a two-legged play-off next month.

Despite having played for Villa in the Champions League and Arsenal naming their squad for the competition in August, Watkins would be able to feature for the Gunners in Europe. UEFA rules state that clubs can register a maximum of three new players ahead of the knockout phase by Thursday, February 6.

He would not be 'cup-tied' either, as that does not count in the Champions League. Watkins, who scored and missed a penalty for Villa in their crucial 4-2 win over Celtic on Wednesday, therefore could be a huge boost to Arsenal's Champions League hopes if he makes the move to north London.

The Gunners, who picked up 19 points from their eight league phase matches, are set to face AC Milan, PSV Eindhoven, Feyenoord or Juventus in the Champions League round of 16 in March.

Speaking after making it through to the last 16 without having to play any play-off games, Arteta said: "Let's see. We love watching Champions League matches.

"We're going to have the privilege to be sitting at home and analysing and watching who we can face afterwards. So, pretty good at the moment. Things are going well."

Former Tottenham forward Arnaut Danjuma put Girona ahead before Jorginho and Ethan Nwaneri helped turn the game on its head for the Gunners and beat the Spanish side. Raheem Sterling had the chance to put some gloss on the scoreline late on, but he missed from the penalty spot.