Manchester United should forget about a deal to sign RB Leipzig star Benjamin Sesko and instead put their minds to bringing in Ollie Watkins this summer.
If it's Premier League experience Ruben Amorim is after, then Watkins is the real deal, having flourished leading the line for Aston Villa in the top flight. He has been consistently prolific, scoring 75 league goals, and he has reached double figures in each of his five seasons at Villa Park.
The 29-year-old tasted Champions League football last season and would undoubtedly be eager to help United return to the European elite. It came down to the England international and Sesko regarding whom INEOS targeted as their new number nine, and they went with the Slovenian.
Time for Man Utd to Leave Sesko and Move for Watkins
It's not worth matching Newcastle's offer
Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins celebrating scoring a goal
Newcastle have made a £70m bid for Sesko, a hefty fee for a striker who is by no means the finished article. There's no doubt the 22-year-old has a high ceiling, and his impressive performances in the Bundesliga have caught the eye.
The Magpies are in a desperate situation, though, forced to find a new front-man because Alexander Isak is pushing for a move to Liverpool. Manchester United have Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee as their strike options, and it could be argued that Watkins is the better fit due to his age and goalscoring resume.
Watkins' arrival would allow Hojlund, 22, and Zirkzee, 23, to learn from one of English football's most highly-regarded finishers. There are too many similarities between Sesko and the United duo in terms of needing patience, something Amorim doesn't have heading into next season.
Ollie Watkins vs Benjamin Sesko (Respective leagues 2024-25)
Player:
Appearances:
Goals:
Expected goals (xG):
Goalscoring frequency:
Goal conversion:
Assists:
Duels Won:
GIVEMESPORT sources had revealed that Watkins was prepared to make the move to Old Trafford before the club shifted its focus to Sesko due to reservations that Villa would play hardball over their centre-forward. But there was a belief among the Red Devils' higher-ups that a £50m+ deal could be struck.
That price would be perfect for Jason Wilcox and Christopher Vivell to continue strengthening Amorim's squad, allowing them to look at improving in other key areas. He has played in a front three under Unai Emery, and has been described as "unplayable" by legendary forward Alan Shearer in the past.
Fabrizio Romano reports that a new midfielder and goalkeeper are being considered, and the money saved from trying to beat Newcastle to Sesko could allow much-needed recruitments in those respective positions to be made.
Sign up to The GIVEMESPORT Report to get exclusive daily updates from Fabrizio Romano, Ben Jacobs, Dean Jones and Tom Bogert sent straight to your inbox
All statistics courtesy ofSofaScore- correct as of 02.08.2025