Manchester United have been linked with a summer swoop for Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins, but Gabby Agbonlahor has questioned why he would go to Old Trafford.
Ollie Watkins in action for Aston Villa.
Ollie Watkins has been tentatively linked with Manchester United.
(Image: Getty Images)
Gabby Agbonlahor has questioned why Ollie Watkins would choose to join Manchester United.
Watkins reportedly became discontent at Aston Villa last season after falling behind loanee United striker Marcus Rashford in their pecking order for the latter part of the campaign. Following Villa's narrow miss on Champions League qualification on the final day of last season, losing 2-0 to United, Watkins is said to be open to exploring new opportunities elsewhere.
It is reported that United have begun initial talks with Villa about signing Watkins, as head coach Ruben Amorim sees him as an ideal player to lead his attack, given his proven goal-scoring prowess. The Villans would reportedly demand around £60million for Watkins, who has three years left on his contract, but United are said to be hesitant to meet this valuation due to his age and limited resale value.
The Reds have reportedly suggested including Rashford in a swap deal "offer" for Watkins, but Villa turned down the chance to sign the 27-year-old for £40m once his loan spell ended. According to The Mirror, a potential hurdle in United's pursuit of the England international is their inability to offer European football following their 1-0 loss to Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League final in May.
And ex-Villa man Agbonlahor does not understand why Watkins would join the Reds at this moment in time.
"I feel like moving to Manchester United is a move backwards," he told talkSPORT. "I don't get why he'd go there.
"I think if you wanted to leave, he'd go to a Champions League club, not Manchester United."
When asked, as a Villa fan, if he would be disappointed if Watkins left, he replied: "Of course, because that would say to me that you're choosing the team for maybe financial reasons, not [because they are] a better team.
"At the moment, I mean Manchester United, they're not gonna finish higher than Aston Villa next season. Villa are playing in the Europa League, and are still playing in Europe. Manchester United aren't.
"The chances that he gets at Aston Villa, he won't get at Manchester United, so I don't see that happening.
"I feel like that's just maybe a little rumour in there. If he's going to leave, then I'm sure he'll go to play Champions League football."
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