Manchester United have added Ollie Watkins to their shortlist of strikers after withdrawing their curiosity in Tottenham’s Harry Kane as a consequence of how a lot he would price. Atalanta’s Rasmus Hojlund has emerged as one other viable different to Kane however the younger Dane might price as a lot as £86million.
Which means the Pink Devils are more likely to flip their consideration elsewhere, and The Athletic say Napoli’s Victor Osimhen, Benfica’s Goncalo Ramos, Eintracht Frankfurt’s Randal Kolo Muani are different names being checked out. All three of these forwards are more likely to include massive worth tags too although.
As such, Villa marksman Watkins – who ended the Premier League season in phenomenal kind – has emerged as an alternative choice. The England worldwide has scored 12 league objectives in 2023 with solely Kane (17) and Erling Haaland (15) scoring extra in England’s highest division since New 12 months’s Eve.
But Watkins, who has hit double figures in all of his three top-flight seasons at Villa Park, has beforehand named Arsenal as his dream membership. Watkins hit 25 Championship objectives for Brentford within the 2019-20 season.
On the finish of the marketing campaign, he was named Participant of the 12 months and on the awards ceremony informed the Sports activities Gazette: “That is the dream, to play for Arsenal at some point. However it’s an extended shot.
“I am an Arsenal fan so Thierry Henry was my [idol] he is unbelievable to observe. He was the idol rising up actually.” The 15-goal England worldwide is out of contract with Villa in 2025 and so this summer season is the ultimate probability for the Villans to extract most worth from the centre-forward except he agrees a brand new deal.
Villa certified for the Europa Convention League on the finish of the marketing campaign and underneath Unai Emery seem to have a really brilliant future. However being a key participant for a Champions League group who harbour ambitions of difficult for the title in United would little question attraction to Watkins.
It’s unclear how a lot Villa would possibly demand, although. However Erik ten Hag and United reportedly view Watkins as a ‘no threat’ signing courtesy of his constant goalscoring kind for Villa since becoming a member of from Brentford for £30million in 2020.
The Pink Devils are believed to have watched Watkins on numerous events. However he’s in discussions with Villa over a brand new contract and so Villa will hope the participant stays loyal if United attempt to agency up their curiosity.
United are additionally seeking to signal Mason Mount from Chelsea whereas a brand new goalkeeper can be on the agenda with Inter Milan’s Andre Onana, Everton’s Jordan Pickford and Porto’s Diogo Costa among the many gamers focused. Watkins’ former Brentford team-mate David Raya can be admired however Tottenham are pushing to signal the Spaniard.