Manchester United have been linked with the likes of Viktor Gyokeres and Bryan Mbeumo this summer - but according to one club legend, they should be looking to sign an English £60m striker
12:56, 27 Jun 2025Updated 13:03, 27 Jun 2025
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Viktor Gyokeres thrusts his hands in the air
Viktor Gyokeres has been linked with Manchester United(Image: Gualter Fatia, Getty Images)
Paul Ince believes that Manchester United should set their sights on Ollie Watkins this summer.
Ruben Amorim has been bolstering his Red Devils squad since the transfer market opened, having already snapped up Matheus Cunha from Wolves for a cool £62.5million earlier this month. The hunt for proven goal scorers is reportedly high on the agenda at Old Trafford, especially after Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee struggled to make their mark in the Premier League in 2024/25 - netting just seven goals between them.
Consequently, United have been relentless in their chase of Brentford's Bryan Mbeumo, while also keeping tabs on Sporting CP's Viktor Gyokeres. Their initial £55m offer for Mbeumo was knocked back, but it's believed that an increased bid north of £60m might seal the deal for the 25-year-old winger.
Gyokeres, on the other hand, has proved a tricky catch for Amorim and the United hierarchy. While Arsenal were thought to be leading the race for the 27-year-old striker, who bagged a whopping 39 goals in the Primeira Liga this season, it seems the Red Devils are back in contention - though securing his signature could set them back another £60m.
Elsewhere, Newcastle United goal-scorer Alexander Isak finds himself as one of the hot topics of this summer's transfer window, having made a splash at St. James' Park since his move from Real Sociedad in 2022.
Paul Ince runs with the ball
Paul Ince played for Manchester United during his career(Image: Getty Images)
However, the hefty £150m price tag on the 25-year-old - who is currently touted as one of Europe's best strikers and has a contract with the Magpies until 2028 - might be a bit steep for a budget-conscious United.
With the total cost of these players potentially reaching a whopping £270m, Ince, who sported the United jersey from 1989 to 1995, believes his former club could find a more wallet-friendly option in Aston Villa's Watkins this summer. "The one I'd probably go for, if it was available, would be Ollie Watkins. I think, obviously, he's proven year in and year out he scores goals," he told the Mirror via the RIFE Don't Miss Challenge, the 57-year-old said.
"He can run it behind, he's quick, he can hold the ball up. He's got all the attributes of a striker that you want. And if you look at the way he was kind of pushed out towards the back end of the season when [Marcus] Rashford came, there might be something.
"He won't be happy about not playing towards the back end of the season. So, there might be something doing. Maybe not, that's down to Ollie and his agent and getting it sorted out. But if I was trying to bring a striker in, I'd bring in Ollie Watkins.
"And I think it would take a lot of weight off Hojlund. Rasmus Hojlund is a young striker and he's been asked all last season to play at the biggest club under the biggest expectations, under the biggest pressure and the biggest spotlight to score goals.
"And, you know, it's not happened for him and he's been criticised for it - and I think sometimes a bit unfairly. I think he's one of those young players who maybe needs to maybe go on loan somewhere for a year, score goals or just be a support act for whoever they bring in so he's not under pressure every time when he starts a game.
Ayden Heaven of Manchester United battles for possession with Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa
Paul Ince believes Ollie Watkins would be a brilliant signing for United(Image: Getty Images)
"And that coincides with United being poor, United not playing well, players not adjusting to the system. It's been a tough, tough year for him but he'll learn. It's character-building.
"But he needs that striker where he can just say, 'Right, well, the pressure's not on me to go and score a week in and a week out, and when the game opens up, maybe I can get 15, 20 minutes on the pitch where I can - hit the back of the net.'
"But it wasn't just the goals and people just talk about the goals. I think, you know, he's got to work on his hold-up play. For me, he needs to be a lot, lot better at his retention of the ball. But these are all things you expect from a young player, but things that he needs to be working on every day."
A RIFE Black Edition putter lines up a shot
Paul Ince was speaking ahead of the final RIFE Don't Miss Challenge(Image: RIFE)
It follows Arsenal's £60m bid for Watkins during the January transfer window, a move that left the Villa top brass seething as it was leaked just two hours before their Champions League clash with Celtic.
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Watkins has been incredibly successful in the Premier League this season, banging in 16 goals in 38 appearances and assisting eight times. And if United are keen on beefing up their front line for the 2025/26 season, the 29-year-old would certainly tick all the boxes.
Paul Ince spoke ahead of the final #RifeDontMiss Challenge, celebrating the launch of the new RIFE Black Edition putters. To register for the final qualifier and be in with a chance of winning £50,000, sign up here.