Manchester United has made a new contact with Aston Villa for Ollie Watkins, Talksport understands.
The Red Devils identified Watkins in the search for a new number nine as their destination, but every step should first depend on the sale of players.
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Villa, who has also shown interest in Alejandro Garnacho von United, estimates England International Watkins for £ 60 million.
The 29-year-old scored 50 goals from the Premier League in the last three seasons and was connected to Arsenal with a shock in January.
Ruben Amorim’s team has already spent more than £ 125 million before the new season, but is looking for a new striker.
Matheus Cunha came out of wolves early in the window before Bryan Mbumo’s long -awaited move was completed on Monday.
United, who ended the 2024/25 campaign in the 15th, had little success in front of the goal with Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee.
Only four or three league goers were scored by both because the Old Trafford outfit was capable of a catastrophic campaign.
Talksport understands that Amorim wants to keep Zirkzee and would prefer to sell Hojlund this summer.
Marcus Rashford has already sealed a change of season to Barcelona with the option for sale.
Garnacho, who has already been informed that he can leave the club, was previously used by Gabby Agbonlahor to join Villa.
The 21-year-old previously fueled connections to the villa after shaping the social media with the club’s shirt with Rashford’s name.
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“I like him, I think he is a very good player,” said Agbonlahor last month at Talksport breakfast.
“Yes, he sometimes spit out his dummy and I don’t accuse him. If he played well, he was left out in a poor team of Manchester United, also fan favorites …
“He just has to learn that he is still a child, 20 years old, I think he has all the attributes.
“Can he work at his intersection? Can he work on his last pass? Sometimes he will shoot if they can cross, he will cross if he can shoot.
“But that’s a young player, they do. I will have him, bring him down now!”
Garnacho recorded 11 goals and 10 templates in 58 appearances in all competitions last season, with only Bruno Fernandes more contributing.
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Ollie Watkin’s record in the Premier League
2020/21:
- Appearances – 37
- Goals – 14
- Assists – 5
2021/22:
- Signations – 35
- Goals – 11
- Assists – 2
2022/23:
- Appearances – 37
- Goals – 15
- Assists – 6
2023/24:
- Appearances – 37
- Goals – 19
- Assists – 15
2024/25:
- Appearances – 38
- Goals – 16
- Assists – 8
In total:
- Appearances – 184
- Goals – 75
- Assists – 36
Watkins now has a contract in the villa that runs until 2028 and has completed the summer in front of the back of a 16-goal campaign.
The former Brentford star also wrapped eight assists in the Premier League, but found that his Gametime moved to the club to Rashford’s loan in the second half of last season.
Watkins has already been announced that according to Simon Jordan, he is not good enough to fire Arsenal against great honor.
“I don’t think he’s a world-class player. I think he is a good player and he was good for Aston Villa and Aston Villa were very good for him,” Jordan told Talk Sport.
“It was a nice step for him from Brentford. Everyone went out of the deal well, Brentford received a decent fee for him.”
When asked whether Watkins is now a better player than before moving to Villa Park, Jordan replied: “Yes, because he played in the Premier League.
“I don’t know what his relationship is, but in the end he has achieved a meaningful status for Aston Villa to be her greatest scorer of the Premier League.
“Does he take arsenal to a place they were not and gives them a result that they didn’t have all the time? I don’t think he is doing it.”