Manchester United have reportedly made fresh contact with Aston Villa over a potential swoop for Ollie Watkins.
Aston Villa will be seeking around £60million for the England striker, whose contract expires in 2028.
United have not yet made a bid for the boyhood Arsenal fan and their actions will likely depend on being able to offload other stars, according to talkSPORT.
Ruben Amorim has already spent big on his strikeforce this summer, splashing £62.5million on Matheus Cunha before Bryan Mbeumo arrived for £65m plus £6m in add-ons.
The Red Devils struggled for goals last season, with Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee failing to find the net frequently.
Watkins has scored 87 goals across his five campaign with Villa, including 75 in the Premier League – an average of 15 per season.
Manchester United have reportedly contacted Aston Villa over a move for Ollie Watkins
Ruben Amorim will likely rely on selling stars before they are able to splash the cash on him
Unai Emery’s side will require around £60million to make a deal work for their star striker
There will be no competition from Marcus Rashford as he is leaving on loan to Barcelona, who will have a £40m option to sign him.
United are hoping to raise further funds by selling other first team stars which explains why the club are assessing the striker market in the background, although it is not guaranteed that one arrives.
United shortlisted Watkins back in 2023 when they signed Hojlund, but Erik ten Hag and recruitment staff ultimately went with the Dane, who was just 20 at the time.
If a move for Watkins did materialise, it would be a slight change of tact of the strategy to target younger stars under Sir Jim Ratcliffe given the Villa forward turns 30 later this year, but Amorim is keen for peak-ready players to boost his squad.
Arsenal had held talks over a move for Watkins in January but the Gunners weren’t prepared to meet the £60m valuation slapped on the forward by Villa.
Watkins is Villa’s star striker and they would have to dip into the market to replace him.
He had to lead the line alone from February onwards after Villa sold his trusty deputy Jhon Duran for £65m to Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr.
One thing which will appeal to United is his almost impeccable bill of health.
Watkins has hit a reliable rate of 15 goals per Premier league season at Aston Villa
The forward has never had a long stint out of action injured and played in all of Villa’s Premier League matches last season, while also competing in the Champions league, domestic cups, and for England.
Across his five seasons in the top flight, Watkins has played in 184 of Villa’s 190 Premier League fixtures.
That is a particularly alluring aspect for United who have endured an injury-hit few seasons.
It is unclear what exactly his arrival would spell for Hojlund and Zirkzee. Hojlund recently opened up on his desire to stay at the club amid the speculation surrounding his future.
‘I have a contract [until 2028], so I expect to play for Manchester United,’ he in June. ‘I’m looking forward to going on a summer vacation, and then I’m fully dedicated to the project that’s underway.
‘I know I can’t get much out of reading things. I know what the facts are, and that is that I have a contract with Manchester United.
‘I expect to play there, so I’m just getting ready for some summer vacation and then hopefully a good pre-season.’
