Ollie Watkins is a target for Manchester United, who wants to continue their new trend from signing Premier League-Consumer with Ollie Watkins from Aston Villa
Aston Villa has told Manchester United that Ollie Watkins is not for sale after they have asked for the rush. Watkins, 29, is on the shortlist of United, because Ruben Amorim makes signing a no. 9 his priority for the rest of the summer transfer window.
The Red Devils have already bought two attackers – Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo – for a combined £ 133.5 million, with a new emphasis on signing players proven in the Premier League. Of those who are united as realistic options, they do not come much more than Watkins.
Since he came to Villa from Brentford in a £ 33 million deal five years ago, Watkins scored 75 goals and registered 34 assists in 184 league games. The international of England was the subject of an £ 60 million from Arsenal in January, but Villa immediately rejected it.
Mirror Football reported earlier this month that United dedicated their interest in Watkins, whose contract runs until 2028. But Amorim has now been told.
The Telegraph report that Villa has no plans to sell the 29-year-old and to insist that he is not for sale for any price. It is not the first conversation that United had with Villa Park Chiefs this summer.
Earlier this month, the Red Devils made a surprise loan offer for goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez who immediately rejects Villa. Unlike Watkins, they are willing to let Martinez go if a club meets their asking price of £ 40 million.
It has been suggested that United Alejandro Garnacho could offer Villa in a Swap deal for Watkins. Garnacho is on the heel block in Old Trafford, but he wants to stay in the Premier League, reportedly with Villa among his admirers.
However, the winger would not be a like-for-like replacement and Villa has no recognized backup striker in their ranks. They loaded Jhon Duran in January to Saudi-Arabian side Al-Nassr for a cool £ 65 million and Unai Emery was pleased to keep Watkins in Birmingham.
Should Manchester United offer Ollie Watkins? Say in the commentary part.
“He is great,” Emery told TNT Sports in March. “Because he is a really hard worker and his dedication to work every day is great. If he scores goals, this is the most important goal he can have. Wherever he helps, he contributes to helping the team.
“But even if he does not do both, he works for the team. Defensively, the dedication was always high. He is in the press with the opponent. His dedication and behavior is always a very good example for others. His strength is his mind. His mentality is the best quality he has.”