Rúben Amorim has been told that there is a “perfect” striker out there for Manchester United that would be an even better signing than Liam Delap.
Manchester United are working to strengthen their attack this summer after a disappointing 2024/25 season in which they finished 15th in the Premier League, with a lack of goals a recurring problem throughout the campaign.
Bruno Fernandes topped the club’s scoring charts with 19 goals, while Alejandro Garnacho and Amad both scored 11. Rasmus Højlund added 10, but no other player reached double figures in any competition.
United have already wrapped up the £62.5 million signing of Matheus Cunha and are pushing to finalise a deal for Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo, although Tottenham are attempting to swoop in for the Cameroon forward.
The search for a central striker remains ongoing. Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyökeres had been a leading target, but with the Swede now favouring a move to Arsenal, United are turning their attention to alternative options.
United have a “perfect” target this summer
United’s initial first-choice target for the striker position was Liam Delap, but the 22-year-old instead chose to sign for Chelsea in a £30 million deal for Ipswich Town.
Delap was intriguing for United as he was a young and promising striker with Premier League experience, something Amorim is keen for many of his new signings to possess.
However, with Delap unavailable, former United player Wes Brown has urged the club to take a look at Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins, who could be a “perfect” signing for the head coach.
“Manchester United need a striker who has goals, and although Liam Delap might not get you 20 just yet, he is a great player and has all the attributes to be a success,” Brown explained.
“Personally, having Rasmus Højlund up front on his own looked very difficult for him; he got a lot of stick and looked to have no backup whatsoever.
“He cannot be left in that position again because it’s not fair on him. Chido Obi came in, who is another young player, but United have to get a striker this summer.
“Delap would’ve been a good player for United, but I’d go for experience. Manchester United need a striker, and Ollie Watkins has shown us that he can do that in the Premier League.
“Would Aston Villa swap Watkins for Marcus Rashford? I’m not sure because they still trust Watkins and would need to find a big replacement.
“They would want a striker who can get 20 goals, and those are hard to come by. Look at United and how Rasmus Højlund has struggled, but a striker like Watkins would be perfect for United.”
How much could Watkins cost?
United had been linked with Watkins earlier this summer, with reports claiming that the club were open to orchestrating a swap deal that would see Rashford head to Villa Park permanently, with Watkins going the other way. However, Villa then turned down the chance to secure Rashford for £40 million.
Wakins has since been linked with the likes of Liverpool, who are looking for a new striker amid the possibility of forward Darwin Nunez departing. Liverpool have reportedly been informed that the fee for Watkins is around £60 million.
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While Brown is right in saying that Watkins would bring fantastic Premier League experience, with 75 goals and 36 assists in 184 appearances across his five seasons in the competition, £60 million for a player who will turn 30 in December is too much.
Watkins would realistically only be joining United as a striker option for a few seasons before the club then signed a long-term centre-forward, and it may be better if United looked elsewhere.
Multiple younger strikers are entering their prime, such as Gyökeres and Victor Osimhen, who are available for a similar fee. The idea of signing a project striker, such as Hugo Ekitike, also appeals to the club, although the Frenchman’s £85 million transfer price is currently too high.
Wes Brown was speaking to Boyle Sports.
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