PA Images/Alamy Images

Manchester United consider swoop for striker with 32 Premier League G/A this season

Originally posted on Stretty News | By Dale O'Donnell | Last updated 5/15/24

Ollie Watkins has been in fine goalscoring form for Aston Villa this season and he has now been linked with a summer move to Manchester United.

Reports this morning claim United are considering an audacious swoop to bring Aston Villa and England striker Watkins to Old Trafford.

Alex Crook from talkSPORT states that Watkins fits the profile of a typical “proven centre-forward” that Sir Jim Ratcliffe would like to see join United.

It remains to be seen what this could mean for Rasmus Hojlund because United are not going to entertain Villa’s demands to sit him on the bench as a support act.

Watkins has four years left on his contract after signing a new deal at Villa last year. He has 19 Premier League goals this season, which marks his best tally by some distance, on top of 13 assists.

Villa under Unai Emery are not going to let him go without a fight and they’ve got the protection of his contract.

Although Villa have secured their place in next season’s Champions League, United think they would be able to convince their star striker to jump ship for a bigger club. It’s a matter of Watkins needing to see the bigger picture, with United building for a future that will see us competing regularly in Europe’s most prestigious competition.

Does Watkins want to reject an opportunity to be part of that for the sake of one year in the Champions League with Villa?

United are planning ahead for next season and we don’t know how serious this ‘interested’ is in Watkins. We’ll know if it’s genuine in a matter of weeks.

This article first appeared on Stretty News and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: