Ollie Watkins Ruben Amorim Man United
(Credit: Imago)
Pete O'Rourke, Transfer Correspondent
Sat 5 July 2025 9:30, UK
Manchester United’s pursuit of Ollie Watkins has left Aston Villa facing the prospect of a huge gamble this summer, sources have told Football Insider.
Speaking on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, senior correspondent Pete O’Rourke revealed what his sources have said about Watkins’ potential exit from Villa Park this summer.
Watkins followed up his career-best tally of 27 goals and 15 assists in all competitions with 17 and 14 respectively last season, as Villa finished missed out on Champions League football via goal difference.
The 29-year-old’s Premier League credentials are beyond doubt and Man United could fund a move for Watkins by selling the out-of-form Rasmus Hojlund, but losing Watkins would be a “big gamble” for Villa.
Sources have told Football Insider that United’s pursuit of Watkins will be difficult due to his status as the only out-and-out striker in Villa’s current squad, after Jhon Duran’s move to Al-Nassr in January.
Arsenal had looked the most likely team to sign Watkins this summer in their own hunt for a new number nine, but Villa have been warned against selling the striker without a replacement already in the building.
Ollie-Watkins-Arsenal
Watkins is wanted by both Arsenal and Man United this summer (Credit Hasan Karin, Breaking Media)
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Watkins transfer to leave Aston Villa in disarray
Pundits aplenty have urged Aston Villa to avoid selling Watkins to Man United given the lack of depth at the top end of Unai Emery’s squad, with new arrival Zepiqueno Redmond their only other option up front.
Speaking on the new Inside Track, O’Rourke said that while Watkins could be a perfect fit for United alongside the likes of Matheus Cunha and potentially Bryan Mbeumo, Villa will be loathe to lose him.
“If you look at Premier League proven [strikers], there’s not many better than Ollie Watkins”, he told Football Insider.
“But it’s a hard deal to do – Aston Villa don’t really want to lose Watkins, right now he’s the only recognised number nine in that Villa squad. It would be a big gamble.
“If Man United are looking at a good centre-forward to come in and improve their squad, Watkins would tick a lot of boxes. He’s a proven Premier League goalscorer.
Unai Emery Aston Villa
Unai Emery cannot afford to lose Ollie Watkins without a replacement at Aston Villa (Credit: Imago)
New Man United striker must hit the ground running
With Cunha already through the doors at Old Trafford and Mbeumo seemingly set to join him, a centre-forward will complete Ruben Amorim‘s new-look front three as he looks to turn United’s fortunes around.
The exit-linked Hojlund was bought with upward potential in mind, but the Dane’s development has been limited at best and Man United are ready to take a hefty loss on the £72million they paid two years ago.
Watkins’ transfer fee would likely be north of £70m after Arsenal’s own bid in January, but with United in desperate need of a striker who won’t need long to acclimatise, Watkins is arguably the best candidate they could ask for.
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