‘Man United to agree discount Ollie Watkins deal – it will get done’
Manchester United could agree a deal to sign Ollie Watkins for £15million less than Aston Villa’s asking price.
The Red Devils are still in the market for a centre-forward, following failed attempts to bring in Liam Delap and Viktor Gyokeres.
Last season, senior figures at United became frustrated with Rasmus Hojlund, as they felt he was not working hard enough.
Watkins has emerged as a potential candidate to replace the Dane up front, with Aston Villa setting his asking price at £60m.
However, Everton’s former chief Keith Wyness – who served as CEO at Goodison Park between 2004 and 2009 and now runs a football consultancy advising elite clubs – believes that United could agree a deal to sign the Villa striker for as low as £45m.
‘Watkins is the right signing for Man United’
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Wyness insisted that Watkins is a perfect fit for Man United as he brings experience and could link up well with Matheus Cunha.
Ruben Amorim’s side confirmed the signing of Cunha earlier in the window, after triggering the £62.5m release clause in his Wolves contract.
Wyness added that United could get two good seasons out of Watkins.
He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “When you’re looking at United, Sesko and Watkins seem to be the two that they’re coming down to.
“I think the Watkins deal can get done. He’s going to be 30 this year. I think £60m is too high. There’ll be a negotiation because Villa are a little bit cash-strapped and need that headroom as well. So there’s a deal to be done there.
“It will be somewhere around the £45m to £50m mark, with some extra clauses, but I think that’s the sort of level that will get it done. I think both clubs will be prepared to deal at that level.
“I think it’ll be Watkins that United will end up with up front. He’s the right one for them as well. I think they need that experience up front.
“They’ve now got some good providers of the ball with Cunha and others coming in, so Watkins would be the right one for them. Certainly they’re going to get a good two years out of him at the very least and I think that would be the right value for them and the right move to make for all parties concerned.”
‘Man United defender could leave’
Meanwhile, Luke Shaw could reportedly leave Man United this summer amid interest from multiple Saudi Pro League clubs.
That is according to their former chief scout Mick Brown, who claims that the 30-year-old could be tempted by the “huge” money on offer.
Amorim, meanwhile, is willing to let the left-back leave should an acceptable offer arrive thanks to the emergence of Patrick Dorgu and Harry Amass.
Brown told Football Insider in December that United must make a decision about Shaw’s future amid ongoing concerns about his lingering injury issues.
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