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Manchester United are being linked with a whole host of targets this summer as they look to rebuild their squad for next season.
The Red Devils had a horrendous season last outing, finishing 15th place in the Premier League, with Ruben Amorim and the United recruitment team tasked with turning the whole situation around.
As such, there’s been a real focus on remodelling the attack at Old Trafford, recruiting to strengthen the current front line.
Last season Rasmus Hojlund led the attacking trio, accompanied predominantly by Bruno Fernandes and Alejandro Garnacho.
However, with Garnacho set to leave the club and Hojlund underperforming for a second year running, The Red Devils have been looking to new signings.
Matheus Cunha has already signed from Wolverhampton Wanderers, being able to play as the solo striker or in support, with Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo being the next clear priority.
However, over recent weeks, Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins has emerged as a potential replacement for Hojlund.
Now, taking to The Athletic’s YouTube channel, David Ornstein has given an update on the situation.
Talking about Watkins’ links to United, Ornstein commented: “Ollie Watkins as reported by our colleague Laurie Whitwell is among those on Manchester United’s recruitment list.”
He continued: “I’d be surprised if he wasn’t on the recruitment list of top clubs he’s such a good striker and a good lad.
“They’ve maybe held some enquiries with his camp, I’m not sure if that’s gone to Villa directly yet.
“As for the conditions of a potential deal, as they weigh up options to strengthen in attack, there may be a departure for Rasmus Hojlund at some point, there may not.
“So these are all sort of spinning plates and balls being juggled in the air, and that’s a situation that they’re kind of attentive to.
However, Ornstein then went on to discuss Aston Villa’s perspective of the links and their plans for Watkins.
Ornstein commented: “I think from my conversations with Villa, they see themselves as having no intention to part with Ollie Watkins. They want to continue with him up front for them.
“He’s on the list of clubs like Arsenal as they’ve been weighing up [Benjamin] Sesko, [Viktor] Gyokeres and Watkins, who they went for in January.”
Going on to discuss the reason for so many clubs showing a desire to sign the 29-year-old, Ornstein explained: “Ollie Watkins is definitely an interesting case for the market because he’s a Premier League proven, England international, pretty guaranteed goalscorer.
“He’s on a sort of older age than some of these younger plyers obviously, but he has a great physical profile, a very strong record. He delivers.
“He’s Premier League ready and that’s why he will naturally be of interest to clubs like Manchester United. It doesn’t mean it’s going to happen.”
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