Manchester United Eyes Ollie Watkins Amid Aston Villa’s Firm Stance

Manchester United continues to bolster its forward line as the transfer window progresses, with recent additions including Matheus Cunha from Wolves and Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford. Despite these signings, the club remains in pursuit of another striker, with Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins emerging as a potential target.

As Manchester United embarks on its pre-season tour in the United States, the club’s management is actively exploring options to enhance their attacking capabilities. According to The Telegraph, United, under the guidance of manager Ruben Amorim, is keen on acquiring a new No. 9. The existing options, including Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee, are not viewed as adequate for the team’s ambitions.

Watkins, who has spent his entire professional career in England, presents a compelling opportunity. The 29-year-old striker joined Aston Villa from Brentford in 2020 and has since played over 180 matches in the Premier League, scoring 75 goals and reaching double figures in each of his five seasons with the club. His consistent performance has made him a valuable asset for Villa.

Despite the interest from Manchester United, Villa has made it clear that Watkins is not for sale this summer. The club reportedly issued a “hands-off” warning, emphasizing their intention to retain the striker at all costs. Villa has regarded Watkins as an integral part of their squad, previously rejecting an approach from Arsenal during the January transfer window. Instead, the club opted to raise funds by selling Jhon Duran to Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr.

Given the limited availability of quality strikers on the market, coupled with competition from other Premier League clubs, Aston Villa’s reluctance to part with Watkins is understandable. A recent report from journalist Ben Jacobs confirmed that Manchester United has engaged in fresh discussions regarding a potential move for the forward. However, Villa’s £60 million valuation is perceived as excessive, especially for a player approaching 30.

While United has expressed a willingness to negotiate if the price decreases, Villa’s firm position complicates matters. In the meantime, United is considering alternative targets, including Benjamin Sesko, Nicolas Jackson, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, and Aleksandar Mitrovic.

As the transfer window remains open for over a month, the dynamics between Manchester United and Aston Villa will be closely monitored. The situation surrounding Ollie Watkins exemplifies the high stakes and strategic maneuvering that characterize the summer transfer period in football.