Manchester United and Arsenal lock horns for the signing of Ollie Watkins
Manchester United know that they cannot afford another summer without making firm decisions regarding the attack. The departure of key players, coupled with doubts about the reliability of some forwards, is forcing the club to tread carefully. Every name that comes up generates internal debates, calls from intermediaries, and financial calculations that do not always align with the urgency of the sporting situation.
Arsenal, for their part, are looking at the same market and pushing for similar profiles. It is not surprising to see both clubs knocking on the same door. The Premier League demands consistent goals and presence in the box, something that Ollie Watkins has demonstrated with Aston Villa. Now his name is back at Old Trafford, and the question is how much real interest there is in going all out.
As revealed by GIVEMESPORT in its Market Madness podcast, both Manchester United and Arsenal have made new contacts through intermediaries to gauge the feasibility of signing Ollie Watkins this summer. It is not the first time that the Red Devils have analysed the England international, but this time the circumstances seem different.
Is pursuing Watkins a smart move for United, given his age and Villa’s high valuation, or should they focus on younger talents like Sesko?
The 29-year-old striker was linked with United when Villa were considering activating the option for Marcus Rashfordafter his loan spell. However, Rashford prefers the Champions League and a possible move to Barcelona alongside Lamine Yamal. United still consider Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo a priority and want to resolve Rasmus Hojlund‘s future before formalising any move. Meanwhile, other names such as Sesko, Ekitike and Mitrovic have emerged, but Watkins is still there, waiting for a clear gesture.
Opinion:
We think Watkins would fit in at Old Trafford if the plan is to give him freedom in a 3-4-2-1 formation like the one Rubén Amorim likes. Watkins is mobile, attacks spaces well and has an eye for goal, but his price tag could prove excessive for a club that need to adjust their budget after several failed signings. Unlike Mbeumo, who is more versatile on the wing and in the middle, Watkins is a pure striker. At 29, he does not represent a long-term investment like Sesko, whose margin for growth is enormous. However, his experience in the Premier League and his record with Villa (17 goals last season) give him credibility. United cannot continue to try out strikers who fall short.
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Watkins would bring commitment, but he would not solve the lack of chemistry and finishing on his own. Financing the Englishman would mean giving up other players who are perhaps younger and more malleable. Tactically, Watkins adapts well to high pressure and long diagonals, qualities that combine well with the electric wingers United already have or will have.
However, everything points to Villa asking for a high price, and in an inflated market, that could put a stop to any deal. We think it will be difficult to close if Mbeumo or Sesko are still available. Watkins is a reliable striker, but not the definitive solution. United need more consistency and foresight before making a decision. For now, this story smells more like a persistent rumour than an imminent signing.