Arsenal have 11 days to complete dream £40m transfer mission for Benjamin Sesko alternative

While deadline day may not be for another month or so, may have to set themselves a unique deadline if they want to get the best deal on one target this summer.

There's no secret over the Gunners' need for a central striker in the summer. It was a position they tried, yet failed, to strengthen in the January window, with injuries then leaving them without a recognised striker for the final few months of the campaign.

The club have been heavily linked with an interest in both Red Bull Leipzig star and Sporting CP's . However, one target from the January window has also re-emerged.

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Arsenal had a £40million bid for Ollie Watkins turned down, back in the winter. suggest that the England international is still interesting Arsenal as they continue their search for a new striker.

However, the 's Profitability and Sustainability Regulations (PSRs) mean that Arsenal (may) face a race against time to get the best deal if they wish to sign Watkins this summer.

It is suggested that Villa have some worries around the regulations, with selling a player going a long way to ease their concerns. However, for any deal to count towards the 2024/2025 season's finances, it will have to go through before the end of the month.

Any deal done in July will, instead, go on next season's books. At the start of the financial year, clubs may be more unwilling to cash in on their assets with them looking for other ways to bring in cash throughout the season.

In theory, Villa could therefore change their asking price for Watkins at the turn of the month. Amid worries over the rules and their compliance with them, the club may decide to take a lower amount in June for the profit to be able to go onto the 2024/2025 accounts.

If a deal is not done, then the asking price could potentially rise with the pressure to bring in last minute funds not there. If that is the case, it means that Arsenal have just 11 days to make a decision and then to move and complete a deal before the PSR deadline comes around.

Arsenal could potentially still play a waiting game in the hopes of first completing a deal for Sesko or Gyokeres. If Watkins is their back-up option, though, then they may have to take a chance that the PSR deadline - and impact - won't make a huge difference in Villa's demands.