Man Utd could look at striker alternatives in the summer transfer window.
Manchester United are in the market for a striker this summer, but they must also be mindful of the exceptional talent they already have on their hands. Ruben Amorim has prioritised attacking additions to his first-team squad to solve their shortfalls from last season, with Matheus Cunha soon to be joined by Bryan Mbeumo.
United managed to score just 44 goals in the Premier League last season. Cunha and Mbeumo managed 35 goals between them. They will make a massive improvement to the starting line-up, not only with their goal threat, but also the opportunities they will create for others.
Rasmus Hojlund was not good enough across the last campaign, but it is also true that the service was not good enough either. He could improve a lot thanks to the attacking midfield additions, though Amorim still wants to sign another striker to make them even deadlier in attack. Ollie Watkins could be the perfect fit.
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Ollie Watkins could unlock Chido Obi potential
Manchester United have expressed an interest in Ollie Watkins as their striker search takes another twist. It is understood he is valued at £60 million by Aston Villa this summer, which still seems too high for United to do a deal, though there is hope a compromise could be found if they wanted to get him.
The proposed addition of Bryan Mbeumo alongside Matheus Cunha will lessen the need for an elite option this summer, but Watkins is still a great striker, albeit not a world-class one. At the age of 29, he has established himself as one of the most reliable scorers in the Premier League and would deliver an improvement on the options already at their disposal.
His £60m price tag is probably a fair price for the player who is the third-highest scorer in the Premier League over the past five years, though it would be an investment for immediate success, given his value would only deteriorate in the coming years. There is another way to look at it though; his signing would potentially unlock the true potential of Chido Obi into their long-term solution in attack.
United won the race to sign Obi when he left Arsenal a year ago, with their planned pathway to the first team a key reason they beat others to his signature. At the age of 17, he has already made eight competitive appearances and shone in the post-season tour of Asia with a brilliant brace in the victory over Hong Kong.
It was clear from that performance that Obi is an exceptional talent with the potential to make a serious impact at the first-team level, but it is only potential, and he will only fulfil it if he is nurtured carefully. That means he must get meaningful minutes again next season, but he must also learn from seasoned professionals who have already lived his dreams.
If United sign another raw talent, like they wanted to with Liam Delap, they would have added further inexperience to their forward line, with more risk attached to them. There is a strong argument to sign a proven Premier League striker instead, who can make an immediate impact and act as a mentor for the wonderkid they have at their disposal.
United wouldn't only sign a new first-choice striker, they could unlock their next one as well.
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