Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins has emerged as a possible target for Manchester United in the summer transfer window
Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins
Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins(Image: Getty Images)
Manchester United want to improve their striker options this summer and a new name added to their supposed list of targets is Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins.
The 29-year-old has proven himself to be a reliable source of goals in the Premier League during his career and last season managed to bag 16 in 38 appearances in the top flight. Not all of these appearances were starts either with the forward sharing the starting spot with Jhon Duran and Marcus Rashford.
After Watkins entered the list of players to watch this summer, MEN Sport has rounded up the latest information regarding the England international and a move to Old Trafford.
Transfer dilemma
On Monday, The Athletic reported that Watkins could be targeted by the Reds if they are to sell Rasmus Hojlund this summer. While a deal for Watkins would only develop in the latter stages of the window, at £60m his price tag is steep.
The forward is 29 so the amount of resale value is limited for the Reds. However, with three years remaining on his deal at Villa Park, Unai Emery will be unwilling to budge on that valuation.
The dilemma for United is whether a proven goalscorer in the top flight is worth paying that bit extra for.
£55m deal
It has been well documented that Villa have been looking nervously over their shoulder regarding Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) concerns. To avoid falling foul of those rules, it was reported that Villa may look to sell some of their big name players including Watkins and Emiliano Martinez.
However, The Telegraph reports that Villa are expected to raise around £55m after selling their women's team. This deal could stop the West Midlands club from needing to sell their top assets or bend to the negotiations of United - and could therefore keep his price tag relatively high.
Mbeumo's true feelings
If all goes to plan, Watkins would be welcomed by a familiar face at Old Trafford if he were to sign this summer. Bryan Mbeumo is the current top target for the Reds and he played alongside Watkins at Brentford.
What is clear is that Mbeumo is a big fan of Watkins and his talents. In an interview with Sky Sports in 2020, Mbeumo compared Watkins to Mohamed Salah after the duo and Said Benrahma were compared to Liverpool's front three.
"Said would be Roberto Firmino, very attacking, a good finisher," Mbeumo explained. "I think it would be hard to say who is who among Mo Salah and Sadio Mane but I would probably be Mane and Ollie would be Salah."
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