Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins has emerged as a new name on Manchester United’s shopping list for the summer window.
Manchester United are on the lookout for a new striker to either compete with or replace Rasmus Hojlund next season.
Viktor Gyokeres prefers a move to Arsenal and Hugo Ekitike’s £85m asking price makes a deal with Eintracht Frankfurt extremely unlikely.
Reports now suggest that United have made contact over Ollie Watkins as a potential striker target this summer. He is expected to cost around £60m, according to The Mirror.
United previously discussed a swap deal including Watkins and Marcus Rashford, but the latter now has his heart set on a move abroad.
Ollie Watkins claps Aston Villa fans while wearing white kit.
Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images
Ollie Watkins’ wage at Aston Villa is realistic for Man Utd
Sir Jim Ratcliffe has publicly spoken about United’s financial issues last season, and Ineos are trying to regain control of the wage bill.
United are struggling to sell overpaid players who were offered huge contracts under the Glazers, and Ineos are trying to avoid making the same mistake.
If Watkins does become a target this summer, United would be able to offer the 29-year-old a reasonable pay rise without breaking their wage structure.
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According to Goal, Watkins is currently earning £130,000 per week at Villa, making his annual salary just shy of £7 million.
Watkins would likely want a pay increase if he made a move to United this summer, and Ineos could offer that without making him one of the club’s top earners.
How much Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo could earn at Man United
Amorim is recruiting from the Premier League this summer, with the United boss wanting to add some ready-made stars to his squad.
Matheus Cunha arrived in a £62.5m deal from Wolves at the start of June, and Ineos managed to sign the Brazilian to a very reasonable contract.
Cunha is earning £200,000 per week at United on his new five-year deal, which is an upgrade of around £80,000 per week on his previous deal with Wolves.
READ MORE: All Manchester United player wages for the 2024/25 season, Ranked
Bryan Mbeumo is set to earn around £200,000 per week as well if Ineos are able to finalise a deal for the Brentford star. A third bid is being prepared after Brentford rejected the latest £62.5m offer.
Ineos are hoping to clear around £800,000 per week off the wage bill by selling the trio of Jadon Sancho, Marcus Rashford and Antony this summer, which will free up funds for new signings.