Aston Villa are reportedly preparing for the possible sale of Ollie Watkins, with the English striker open to signing for Manchester United this summer.
Manchester United are set to rebuild their attacking options this summer after a disappointing 2024/25 season that saw them finish 15th in the Premier League, with a lack of goals a key factor in their poor form.
Bruno Fernandes was the club’s leading scorer with 19 goals, followed by Alejandro Garnacho and Amad with 11 each. Rasmus Højlund added 10, but no other player reached double figures across all competitions.
The £62.5 million signing of Matheus Cunha has already been completed, and United are continuing talks with Brentford over a deal for Bryan Mbeumo. Negotiations are progressing as both clubs work to reach a final agreement for the Cameroon international.
United are also looking to bring in a new centre-forward, though two of their main targets are no longer viable. Viktor Gyökeres is on the verge of joining Arsenal after agreeing a five-year deal, while Victor Osimhen has opted to re-sign with Galatasaray.
With both strikers now out of reach, United have turned their attention to alternative targets as they look to strengthen their frontline.
Watkins open to United summer transfer
One of the club’s primary striker targets this summer now looks to be Aston Villa forward Ollie Watkins, who fits the profile Amorim is aiming for.
Watkins has scored at least ten goals in all five of his Premier League seasons, netting 75 in 184 appearances, and has also contributed 36 assists in that time, making him a proven goalscorer in the Premier League.
According to the latest reports, Watkins is open to making the Old Trafford switch this summer, and at 29 years old, he would bring a wealth of experience currently lacking in the striker position at United.
United floated the idea of a Marcus Rashford and Watkins swap deal to Villa earlier this summer, but Villa forged the chance to sign Rashford permanently.
Villa preparing for Watkins departure
Amid the uncertainty surrounding their star striker, the Birmingham club are reportedly preparing a succession plan for if the England international is sold.
Should United or any other club sign Watkins this summer, A Bola (via Sport Witness) report that Villa are one Premier League side who are particularly interested in FC Porto’s Samu Aghehowa, who scored twice against United in the Europa League last season.
Villa boss Unai Emery is said to be very aware of the 21-year-old striker’s progress last season, and is thought to be interested in replacing Watkins with the Spaniard if Watkins were to depart.
It is reported that Porto aim to secure as much as £69 million for Aghehowa this summer, with £60 million seen as a reasonable starting point in negotiations.
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