Man United enter fresh talks over Ollie Watkins move amid Aston Villa interest in Red Devils outcast

Manchester United have made contemporary contact with Aston Villa for Ollie Watkins, talkSPORT understands.

The Crimson Devils have recognized Watkins as a goal of their seek for a brand new quantity 9, however any transfer is more likely to depend upon promoting gamers first.

Villa, who’ve additionally proven curiosity in United’s Alejandro Garnacho, worth England worldwide Watkins at £60million.

The 29-year-old scored 50 Premier League objectives throughout the final three seasons and was linked with a shock January transfer to Arsenal.

Ruben Amorim’s aspect have already spent over £125m forward of the brand new season, however are pushing forward of their pursuit of a brand new striker.

Matheus Cunha arrived from Wolves early within the window earlier than Bryan Mbeumo’s long-awaited transfer was accomplished on Monday.

United, who ended the 2024/25 marketing campaign in fifteenth, have had little success in entrance of purpose with Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee up entrance.

Simply 4 and three league objectives have been scored by the 2, respectively, because the Previous Trafford outfit endured a disastrous marketing campaign.

talkSPORT understands Amorim needs to maintain Zirkzee and would somewhat promote Hojlund this summer season.

Marcus Rashford has already sealed a season-long mortgage transfer to Barcelona with an choice to purchase.

Garnacho, in the meantime, who has already been informed he can go away the membership, has beforehand been backed to affix Villa by Gabby Agbonlahor.

The 21-year-old beforehand fuelled hyperlinks to Villa after sharing a snap to social media carrying the membership’s shirt with Rashford’s title on it.

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“I like him, I feel he is an excellent participant,” Agbonlahor mentioned on talkSPORT Breakfast final month.

“Sure, he is spat his dummy out at instances and I do not blame him. If he is performed nicely then been disregarded in a poor Manchester United aspect, fan favorite as nicely…

“He is simply bought to be taught, he is nonetheless a child, 20 years of age, I feel he is bought all of the attributes.

“Can he work on his crossing? Can he work on his final move? Generally he’ll shoot when you’ll be able to cross, he’ll cross when he can shoot.

“However that is a younger participant, that is what they do. I am going to have him, get him down now!”

Garnacho registered 11 objectives and 10 assists in 58 appearances throughout all competitions final season, with solely Bruno Fernandes contributing extra.

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Watkins, in the meantime, has a contract at Villa that runs till 2028 and entered the summer season off the again of a 16-goal marketing campaign.

The previous Brentford star additionally bagged eight assists within the Premier League however discovered his gametime lowered following Rashford’s mortgage transfer to the membership within the second-half of final season.

Watkins has already been informed that he’s not ok to fireside Arsenal to main honours, based on Simon Jordan.

“I don’t assume he’s a world-class participant. I feel he is a superb participant and he’s been good for Aston Villa and Aston Villa have been superb for him,” Jordan informed talkSPORT.

“It was a pleasant step up for him from Brentford. Everybody did nicely out of the deal, Brentford bought a good payment for him.”

Requested if Watkins is a greater participant now than earlier than his transfer to Villa Park, Jordan replied: “Yeah, as a result of he’s performed within the Premier League.

“I do not know what his goals-to-game ratio is however in the end he’s achieved a significant standing for Aston Villa to have the ability to be their biggest Premier League goalscorer.

“Does he take Arsenal someplace that they’ve not been and provides them an end result that they’re always saying they haven’t had? I don’t assume he does.”

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