Manchester United wants to sign a striker in the summer transfer window and Ollie Watkins has emerged as a target after Viktor Gyokeres has decided that he wants to become a member of Arsenal instead of the Red Devils
Manchester United stimulates their interest in Aston Villa and England striker Ollie Watkins. United had hoped that he would land Sporting Lisbon Voorin Viktor Gyokeres, who played under the old Trafford Baas Ruben Amorim in Portugal.
But United is convinced that Gyokeres has decided to join Arsenal for them and has therefore drawn their attention to the 29-year-old Watkins. United still has difficulty concluding a deal with Brentford for Bryan Mbeumo and have decided to make a joint attempt to land Watkins.
Watkins became restless last season after he had hit the Loan United Striker Marcus Rashford in the second half of the campaign behind the Loan United Striker. With Villa who missed Champions League football on the last day of last season and lost 2-0 at United, Watkins would be open elsewhere for a new challenge.
It is understanding that United has had provisional conversations with Villa about signing Watkins, which Amorim sees as the ideal player to lead his attack – given his proven target score. Villa would like about £ 60 million for Watkins, who still has three years about his contract, but United is not willing to pay so much, given its age and lack of resale value.
United was willing to offer Rashford as part of a SWAP deal involving Watkins, but Villa decided not to sign the 27-year-old for £ 40 million once his loan agreement had risen. An obstacle to the pursuit of United to Watkins is their inability to offer European football, after their 1-0 Europa League Final Lower Nederte against Tottenham in May.
United also has to load the will of Rashford, Jadon Sancho, Alejandro Garnacho and Antony to raise money to finance new signing sessions. Watkins signed a new long -term contract with Villa in October 2023, so he kept in the club until 2028.
But the English international was not a guaranteed starter last season and competed with Jhon Duran and later Rashford. Villa Boss Unai Emery, however, is a big fan of Watkins.
Should Manchester United Ollie sign 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.”