Aston Villa are ready to sell Manchester United target Ollie Watkins in the ongoing summer
Aston Villa are going through a difficult time. The club are under pressure from the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability rules (PSR). According to Football Insider, the board must make urgent decisions in order not to exceed the limit of allowed losses, which is around £105 million over three years.
Right now, Villa are very close to breaking that barrier. The clearest solution is to sell valuable assets. Among those assets is Ollie Watkins, their star striker, who had 17 goals and 14 assists last season. The departure of Watkins could unblock accounts and give air to a club that wants to continue to grow without sanctions.
Manchester United have not been sitting on their hands. The Red Devils are keeping a close eye on Watkins’ situation. Last season, it became clear that Ruben Amorim’s team lacks a reliable “9”. Hojlund showed moments of brilliance but failed to sustain a high scoring rate. The club needs someone who can convert chances into consistent numbers. Watkins represents that profile. He is physical, reads the game and has a nose for goal. He also knows how to move between the lines and link up with creative midfielders. It is not surprising that United have the 29-year-old among their options to reinforce their attack as soon as possible.
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But should Manchester United really go for Ollie Watkins? In our view, yes, Watkins would fit into the attacking structure that Amorim is looking to consolidate. His versatility allows him to function both as a sole reference or accompanied by incisive wingers. Analyzing his performance, one sees a striker who is rarely disconnected from the game.
He protects the ball well and attacks space like few others in the English league. Compared to other strikers, the Englishman stands out for his consistency. He doesn’t have the peaks of others, but he offers a high floor of performance, something United need after several failed experiments.
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In a system like the 3-4-2-1, which Amorim used on an ad hoc basis when Ten Hag looked for variations, Watkins would adapt well. He can play as a lone striker, with two midfielders behind him to play through balls. He can also stretch defences and open up space for Bruno Fernandes and Matheus Cunha.
Compared to options such as Ivan Toney or Sesko, Watkins offers immediate guarantees and a price that, given Villa’s urgencies, could be affordable. Signing the 29-year-old would be smart. It reinforces a weak line and exploits a market opportunity. United need goalscoring and presence. Watkins can bring both without being a complicated figure to integrate. This is an opportunity not to be missed.