Latest Manchester United transfer news with an update on a potential move for Ollie Watkins
Ollie Watkins during an Aston Villa game
Ollie Watkins during an Aston Villa game(Image: David Davies/PA Wire)
Ollie Watkins has been linked with a summer move to Manchester United. Ruben Amorim's side are in the market for a new No.9 and the Aston Villa forward is among those on the club's shortlist.
Watkins, 29, signed for Villa in a £33million deal from Brentford in September 2020. Since then, the 18-time England international has cemented himself as one of the top strikers in the Premier League. He has scored 87 goals and provided 42 assists in 223 appearances during his time at Villa Park.
However, Watkins could leave Villa this summer after growing frustrated with his game time last season. He was left "fuming" after Marcus Rashford took his place up front for some important matches in April, including the two-legged Champions League quarter-final against Paris Saint-Germain.
This followed a spell earlier in the season where Jhon Duran was preferred as the lone centre forward. But Watkins did regain his spot after Duran was sold to Al-Nassr in January for around £65m.
United are among those interested in a move for Watkins and their pursuit of the former Exeter City man could be boosted as Villa eye a blockbuster deal for Porto hitman Samu Aghehowa.
According to Portuguese outlet A Bola, Porto are considering selling Aghehowa after just one season. The 21-year-old signed for the Primeira Liga outfit in a permanent move from Atletico Madrid last summer.
But, despite netting 27 goals in 45 games for Porto in 2024/25, Francesco Farioli's side are weighing up cashing in on Aghehowa and making a considerable profit on the £23.3m they paid to sign him.
It's added that Villa have expressed an interest in signing Aghehowa and have identified the Spaniard as a possible replacement for Watkins. Porto value Melilla-born Aghehowa at £69m.
Aghehowa scored twice against United in the Europa League last October and he could do serious damage in the Premier League. Only Sporting CP's Viktor Gyokeres (39), who has been linked with a move to United this summer, netted more in Portugal's top tier than Aghehowa (19) last season.
Indeed, should Villa opt to sign Aghehowa, Watkins could therefore be allowed to leave, opening up a potential move to United. Amorim's side want a new No.9 and the Villa forward could be the perfect man to strengthen their attack, having scored 17 goals and added 14 assists in 54 games last term.
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