Manchester United have held conversations with Aston Villa over a possible summer move for Ollie Watkins, FootballTransfers understands.
Ruben Amorim’s side are pushing to sign a new centre forward during the 2025 summer transfer window and we have been informed that Watkins has emerged as a target for the Red Devils.
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The England international has registered 27 goal contributions in 47 appearances so far this season and he is viewed as a player capable of bolstering Man Utd’s stuttering attack.
Arsenal failed with a late bid for Watkins during the January transfer window and FootballTransfers has been told that Mikel Arteta is still interested in signing the 29-year-old.
However, the Gunners are seemingly prioritising a move for Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres, while RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko and Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak are also on their radar.
Man Utd, on the other hand, have identified Watkins as a key target and they have already initiated contact with Aston Villa to gauge the likelihood of a summer transfer.
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Man Utd want to sign Ollie Watkins
Man Utd’s interest in Watkins comes amid Marcus Rashford’s impressive form on loan at Aston Villa.
The 27-year-old was frozen out by Amorim in December and he was forced to join Villa on loan in January after losing his place in the first-team at Old Trafford.
Rashford has netted three goals and provided six assists in 15 games for Unai Emery’s side and Villa are interested in making the deal permanent this summer.
We understand that a swap deal of sorts could potentially be on the cards, with Man Utd eager to bring Watkins to the club amid their pursuit of a new striker.
Victor Osimhen and Hugo Ekitike have both been heavily linked with a move to Old Trafford in recent weeks, although the Red Devils hierarchy have now added Watkins to their transfer shortlist, largely because he is a proven entity in the Premier League.
