Man Utd handed perfect chance to sign Ollie Watkins

Aston Villa are reportedly willing to sell long-term Manchester United target Ollie Watkins for a fee of just €34.2 million (£30m) this summer.

The England international will have two years remaining on his current contract at Villa Park in July and Unai Emery’s side are now ready to part ways with the former Brentford striker.

That is according to a sensational report from Football Insider, who claim that a bid just shy of €35m is likely to be accepted, despite the fact that Watkins remains an integral player for the Midlands outfit.

The 30-year-old has started 24 of Aston Villa’s 28 Premier League fixtures so far this season, scoring eight goals, and he is yet to be usurped by winter signing Tammy Abraham, who arrived on a permanent deal from Besiktas for €21m in January.

However, Football Insider believe that a sale will be permitted this summer as Villa look to purchase a younger striker to replace Watkins in their preferred starting XI.

Aston Villa rejected a bid worth just over €50m from Arsenal in January 2025, but their valuation of the England star has now dropped and a bid worth €34.2m may reportedly be enough to secure his signature ahead of the 2026-27 campaign.

Will Ollie Watkins join Man Utd?

Arsenal and Man Utd have both been heavily linked with a move for Watkins in recent years, although the former appear to have set their sights on finalising a deal for Atletico Madrid star Julian Alvarez this summer.

Man Utd, on the other hand, could be tempted to rekindle their pursuit of Watkins, despite the arrival of Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig last year.

The Slovenia international is yet to establish himself as a guaranteed starter at Old Trafford, however his form has improved since the interim appointment of Michael Carrick and he is expected to feature on a more regular basis throughout the remainder of the season.

Despite this, Man Utd may still be in the market for a new striker this summer due to continuous rumours surrounding Joshua Zirkzee’s future at the club.

The Dutchman has been widely tipped to depart the Red Devils later this year and the 13-time Premier League champions could feasibly pursue Watkins as a cheap replacement.

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