‘Man United dealt Ollie Watkins blow as Aston Villa’s stance is made clear’
Manchester United’s chances of landing Ollie Watkins may have been dealt a huge blow with the latest update on the striker.
Watkins has been a sensation for Villa since joining from Brentford in 2020, notching 87 goals and 42 assists in 223 appearances across all competitions and playing a key role in re-establishing the club as European challengers.
The Torquay-born forward has also had his moments at international level, notching five goals in 18 caps and, most famously, hitting a last-minute winner against the Netherlands to send England to the Euro 2024 final.
That form has seen Watkins regularly linked with a move away from Villa Park, with the likes of Arsenal and Manchester United rumoured to have a serious interest.
Man United to miss out on Ollie Watkins
Arsenal’s interest in Watkins seems to have cooled with the news that they’re pushing forward with the signing of Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting CP.
However, Manchester United are still in desperate need of a top-class centre-forward after Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee scored just seven Premier League goals combined last season.
So desperate is Ruben Amorim’s need that recent reports have even suggested the Red Devils are considering a move for 38-year-old Jamie Vardy as a free agent.
Many United fans would jump at the chance to have Watkins leading the line for them and even at 29 years old, he would represent a huge upgrade on their current options.
However, their chances of signing him look slim, indeed, following the latest update from talkSPORT journalist Dan Bardell.
| 2024/25 Premier League stats | Ollie Watkins |
| Appearances | 38 |
| Goals | 16 |
| Assists | 8 |
| Minutes | 2,610 |
“I did a Villa podcast yesterday and was told that, he’s happy at Villa. He’s not the kind of player to kick up a stink generally,” he said (July 9).
“I think the way football is and the way things are for Villa with the PSR and the SCR, every player does have a price. If someone came in with around £60million, I think that would probably be the mark for Ollie Watkins.
“Villa would obviously consider that and take that deal on its merits, but they’re not actively looking to sell anyone. They don’t want to sell their big players.
“Ultimately, every player has a price. But for the campaign Villa are about to have where they’re going to be trying to qualify for the Champions League via two avenues — the Premier League and the Europa League — and that Thursday to Sunday regime. Them having a durable, proven, double-digits for goals and assists striker like Ollie Watkins is a really good thing.”
Bardell’s comments come off the back of football finance expert Stefan Borson telling Football Insider that Watkins would cost United up to £100m once his salary is factored in.
Man United’s summer frustration grows
After finishing 15th in the Premier League and losing the Europa League final last season, Man United are in serious need of quality signings this summer.
However, things are not coming easily for them in the market so far.
This Watkins update follows the news that the Red Devils are set to miss out on Villa goalkeeper Emi Martinez.
That’s according to the club’s former scout Mick Brown, who told Football Insider that United simply cannot afford the Argentina international until they sell Andre Onana — which is proving a difficult task.
“Man United can’t afford to sign Martinez while they still have Onana,” he said (July 9).
So that has limited their options massively because it looks like they’re struggling to sell.
“Martinez is a very good goalkeeper, and from what I hear, there are a few clubs who have been made aware that he will be available this summer.“