Manchester United held talks over a potential swap deal as part of their plans to offload Marcus Rashford after his bitter fallout with manager Ruben Amorim
10:44, 02 Jul 2025
BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 22: Ollie Watkins Marcus Rashford of Aston Villa applaud the fans after the Premier League match between Aston Villa FC and Chelsea FC at Villa Park on February 22, 2025 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Neal Simpson/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)
Man Utd previously held talks over a Ollie Watkins and Marcus Rashford swap deal(Image: Neal Simpson/Allstar, Getty Images)
Manchester United reportedly held discussions with Aston Villa over a potential swap deal involving Ollie Watkins as Marcus Rashford's loan spell came to an end.
Rashford, 27, spent the latter half of last season at Villa Park, having fallen out of favour under Ruben Amorim. The loan agreement included an option for Villa to sign the United forward for £40million, but things could have taken a different turn had the swap with Watkins materialised.
The 29-year-old was reportedly available for transfer in January, even being offered to Arsenal. As per The Athletic, United engaged in talks with Villa about signing Watkins at the end of the season.
The Red Devils have now made a separate enquiry unrelated to Rashford, who Villa won't be signing on a permanent basis.
Amorim is keen to bring in a new striker and Watkins has emerged as a target, with Rashford having returned to Old Trafford but seemingly having no future at United. Villa, on the other hand, are currently wrestling with Premier League Profit and Sustainability Rules and it's suggested that they need to make one lucrative sale to avoid penalties.
BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - MAY 16: Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa applauds the fans after the team's victory in the Premier League match between Aston Villa FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC at Villa Park on May 16, 2025 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Harry Murphy - AVFC/Aston Villa FC via Getty Images)
Man Utd have discussed signing Ollie Watkins(Image: Harry Murphy - AVFC, Aston Villa FC via Getty Images)
Article continues below
Speculation is rife that Villa Park bosses could follow Chelsea's lead and sell their women's team in what would be a controversial move. Selling Watkins would also be unpopular, with Villa already letting one striker depart in the January transfer window before narrowly missing out on Champions League qualification.
Unai Emery's side approved the transfer of Jhon Duran to Saudi Arabian team Al-Nassr for a hefty £65million. However, Duran's exit didn't guarantee Watkins a starting spot under Emery.
Watkins was left seething after Rashford was chosen to start both of Villa's Champions League quarter-final matches against Paris Saint-Germain. "I played 20 minutes against PSG in both games, so I'm not going to lie - I was fuming I wasn't playing," he confessed to Sky Sports.
Marcus Rashford
Marcus Rashford's future remains unresolved(Image: Getty Images)
"I let him (Emery) know that. He's the gaffer at the end of the day. I respect his decision. But I'm not one of the players happy to sit on the bench.
Article continues below
"It's something I haven't experienced before, missing out on the biggest stage. You always want to play, especially in the Champions League.
"Me and a few others are disappointed we didn't start the game, but like I said, it's the gaffer's decision... Rather than let it hinder you, you have to use that anger as motivation."
The England international would almost certainly be a nailed on starter for the Red Devils over current strikers Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee. Last season, Watkins netted 17 goals and provided 14 assists, while Zirkzee and Hojlund scored 17 goals combined.