‘Aston Villa handed Calvert-Lewin warning amid Ollie Watkins to Man United developments’
Aston Villa have been warned against the signing of Dominic Calvert-Lewin as Manchester United step up interest in Ollie Watkins.
Watkins has been a star for Villa since arriving from Brentford in 2020, notching 87 goals and 42 assists in 223 appearances for the club so far.
During that time, Villa have qualified for all three major Uefa tournaments, while Watkins has performed heroics on the international stage with England.
However, Watkins has been consistently linked with a move away from Villa Park over the last couple of years.
Man United still weighing up Watkins bid
Arsenal were the first club thought to hold a major interest in Watkins, but a move never materialised and with the Gunners signing Viktor Gyokeres, that is now off the table.
However, Manchester United don’t appear to have cooled their interest in the 29-year-old.
The Red Devils are in desperate need of a new No.9 after slumping to 15th in the Premier League last season with just 44 goals scored.
Existing centre-forwards Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee scored just seven league goals combined, and both are linked with a move away from Old Trafford.
According to The Athletic (29 July), Watkins is one of two striker targets for United alongside Benjamin Sesko — with the former expected to be cheaper than the latter, who is also wanted by Newcastle.
Gabby Agbonlahor warns Villa against DCL move
Should Watkins leave for United, Dominic Calvert-Lewin has been rumoured as a potential replacement.
The 11-time England international is a free agent after his contract at Everton expired, and while he has endured injury problems over the years, he would bring 239 games of Premier League experience to the table — during which he’s notched 57 goals and 18 assists.
But Villa legend Agbonlahor has threatened to ‘move countries’ if his former club replace Watkins with Calvert-Lewin.
“Why you lying for? Don’t lie. Don’t you dare, don’t you dare. Who put that in there?” Agbonlahor exclaimed on talkSPORT (29 July) when hearing of Villa’s interest in Calvert-Lewin.
In a debate with co-host and United fan Andy Goldstein, Agbonlahor added: “You think you’re going to take (Ollie) Watkins and we’re going to get Calvert-Lewin? No way, I’d move countries.
“Because Man United of all clubs, taking Ollie Watkins, would really hurt me.”
Agbonlahor did, however, balance his view with praise of Calvert-Lewin: “He is a good player, played for his country.”