Manchester United and Arsenal have both made fresh contact via intermediaries over a deal to sign Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins, GIVEMESPORT sources have revealed on the latest episode of our Market Madness podcast.
The Red Devils and the Gunners are both looking to bring in a new striker ahead of the 2025-26 campaign, with United already landing Matheus Cunha for their attack, while they remain keen on a deal for Brentford's Bryan Mbeumo.
Meanwhile, Mikel Arteta's men are yet to add a new player to their frontline this summer, but have been heavily linked with the likes of Benjamin Sesko, Viktor Gyokeres, Eberechi Eze and Real Madrid winger Rodrygo.
Amorim wants a new striker at Old Trafford
Ollie Watkins during a pre-match warm-up with Aston Villa
While United have made fresh contact over a potential deal for Watkins, according to GMS sources, it isn't the first time the England international has been discussed for a potential move to Old Trafford this summer.
Earlier this summer, the 29-year-old's name was raised when Aston Villa were deciding whether to trigger their option for Marcus Rashford following his loan spell at Villa Park in the second half of last season.
A move required the buy-in of the United academy graduate though, but instead he is prioritising Champions League football - which Villa narrowly missed out on - and favours a move to Barcelona where he could link up with Lamine Yamal.
Ollie Watkins' statistics for Aston Villa this season
GMS sources believe United remain focused on securing a deal for Brentford's Mbeumo and resolving the future of Rasmus Hojlund before they formally pursue a deal for a new No.9, with Watkins one of several options being considered. Internally, moves for Eintracht Frankfurt's Hugo Ekitike, RB Leipzig's Sesko and Al-Hilal centre-forward Aleksandar Mitrovic have also been discussed.
United were also offered former Villa striker Jhon Duran following a six-month spell in Saudi with Al-Nassr, but weren't prepared to approve a loan move with full wage coverage, especially for a player they weren't sure would be the right fit for their squad.
Arsenal Could 'Revisit' Watkins Deal
The Gunners were keen in January
Ollie Watkins applauding the Aston Villa supporters
Arsenal's fresh contact comes after they had a £40m bid to sign Watkins rejected six months ago, with Villa having no desire to sell the English striker at that time as Arteta looked to land a new striker for the second half of the 2024-25 campaign.
Like United, the Gunners are currently prioritising other transfers in attack for Sesko and Sporting Lisbon's Gyokeres - who is also a target for United - and trying to see if they can land either player for €70m, according to GMS sources.
However, if they don't find a breakthrough on either of those deals, they could revisit a move for Watkins later in the transfer window.
Villa valued their centre-forward at £60m in January and a similar ballpark figure applies now to any suitors, GMS sources understand, with the player still having three years remaining on his contract with the Midlands club.
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All statistics according to Sofascore and Transfermarkt - correct as of 03-07-25.