Ollie Watkins to Man United: ‘This is his big move, it’s a deal that’ll go through’
Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins has emerged as a target for Man United after facing frustration in their bids to sign a high-profile new forward.
According to The Athletic (30 June), Watkins is on United’s list of potential centre-forward targets in the event that Rasmus Hojlund leaves the club.
The 29-year-old was the subject of a £40million bid from Arsenal in the January transfer window.
Watkins is under contract at Villa Park until June 2028 and became the club’s leading Premier League scorer in May, overtaking Gabby Agbonlahor’s tally of 74 strikes for Aston Villa.
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 – has claimed the move could “suit all parties” this summer.
Watkins to Man United ‘suits all parties’, says Wyness
Speaking on the new edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Wyness claimed he can see a deal for Watkins going through despite United’s frustration in deals for Gyokeres and Sesko so far.
The England international hit 17 goals and notched 14 assists in 54 games across all competitions last term.
Wyness insisted United fans will be “relieved” if they can land Watkins.
He told Football Insider‘s Inside Track podcast: “This makes sense. It makes sense certainly for Ollie Watkins, because I think this will be his big move.
“United are so weak in the transfer market right now, with a lot of targets turning them down – but I think they can get Watkins. It makes sense for Villa as well.
“For everybody involved, I think that’s a deal that could go through.
“He can do a job at United. He’s not their first choice, and he certainly isn’t, you know, Gyokeres or Sesko or the other sort of names that have been linked – Delap, etc.
“United are having a problem this summer but I think Watkins could be one positive thing for them.
“He’s got a lot of experience, he can still put the ball in the net for them I next season. But he does need good service. United have got to fix that issue as well.
“It will suit all parties. It gives United and United fans a bit of a relief that they’re going to get a good player, but it’s not the quality and the age they would have wanted.
“Nevertheless, I think it’s the one that could well get done.”
Man United ‘close’ to wrapping up Mbeumo deal
Meanwhile, Man United are reportedly “close” to reaching an agreement with Brentford over a deal to sign Bryan Mbeumo.
That is according to Mick Brown, who worked at Old Trafford for over a decade during the club’s most successful period and remains very well-connected there.
Ruben Amorim’s side are confident that they will get the deal done despite seeing two bids rejected, with Mbeumo making clear his desire to join the Red Devils.
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