FOOTBALL
By Eishna Rawat
Posted on July 27, 2026 6:00 pm | Updated on July 27, 2026 11:24 am Aston Villa rejected a Fenerbahce bid as Arsenal and Man Utd eye Ollie Watkins.
Manchester United - Man Utd
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Ollie Watkins could be moving toward a new challenge this summer. Arsenal and Man Utd are both monitoring the Aston Villa striker, with the Red Devils watching closely. As per the latest transfer news, the next move for Man United may come down to money.
Ollie Watkins and the Fenerbahce Bid That Failed
As reported by The Sun, Fenerbahce’s interest never advanced past an opening approach, with Aston Villa quickly rejecting it. The Turkish giants had prepared an offer worth around £30 million, or close to €35 million. There was no room for negotiation, and the whole approach fell apart before it truly began.
Fenerbahce matched that ambition financially. Over three years, the wages on offer would have ranged from £7.5 million to £8.5 million a season, a serious commitment by any measure. That kind of offer shows how highly clubs abroad rate the forward, even though Villa were never seriously interested in that route.
With that door closed, focus has shifted back to England. Arsenal and United are both watching the situation, and neither side looks ready to step away. Villa remain in control for now.
There’s also movement on Villa’s side of the ledger. As reported by Football365, the club are closing in on Chelsea forward Nicolas Jackson, in a deal that could cost around £60 million.
Why Arsenal and Man Utd Both See Him as an Option
Arsenal’s interest stems largely from doubts over Gabriel Jesus. Mikel Arteta has reportedly been hunting for other options up front, and Ollie Watkins fits that plan well as an experienced, proven**Premier League** scorer. He also offers immediate goals, unlike younger targets.
There is also a personal side to Arsenal’s pursuit. He grew up supporting the club and once spoke about his boyhood dream.“Yeah, that’s the dream, to play for Arsenal one day,” he said years ago, as reported by Football365.
At Old Trafford, though, the situation looks completely different. Joshua Zirkzee could still leave for Serie A, and that may push the Red Devils to look at new strikers. If that Italian move goes through, an official bid for the striker is expected to follow quickly.
Former United defender Wes Brown has already backed the idea. He believes his old club needs a proven finisher, not another long-term project, and that “he can do that in the Premier League,” as reported by Sportskeeda. His current deal at Villa Park runs until 2028.
Ollie Watkins Next Move Still Uncertain
Money looks set to be the deciding factor. Sources say Villa could accept an offer close to £40 million, well below the striker’s true value. Premier League money remains the strongest card any club can play in this race.
Ollie Watkins for Aston Villa in 2025/26, as perFOTMOB:
Competitions Matches Goals Assists
Premier League 37 16 3
FA Cup 2 0 0
EFL Cup 1 0 0
Europa League 15 5 2
Arsenal have been here before too. As reported by Football365, the club saw a £60 million bid rejected back in January, so they know exactly how firm Villa can be. With Jesus’s future unclear, the Gunners may try again this summer.
United’s next step could depend on Zirkzee’s future being resolved first. With Sesko already leading the line at Old Trafford, any move for Watkins would likely be about squad depth rather than a straight swap. Nothing is settled yet.
Whatever happens, Ollie Watkins stays one of the most reliable scorers in English **football**outside the traditional top six. That reputation alone should keep his name in transfer talk until the window finally shuts.
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Eishna Rawat
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