Manchester United will likely need to increase their initial bid to secure Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins this summer, according to reports. The Red Devils had reportedly offered £40 million for the England international, but Villa are expected to demand a significantly higher fee for the 30-year-old.
United have already invested heavily in their midfield, completing deals for Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans for a combined £85 million. However, manager Michael Carrick is also seeking to bolster the forward line, particularly with Benjamin Sesko currently recovering from an injury sustained last season. This has led to Watkins being identified as a potential target.
Reports last week indicated Villa were open to selling Watkins, potentially to fund a club-record move for Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson. However, the iPaper reports that Aston Villa are now less inclined to part with Watkins for a fee in the region of £40 million. The club value the striker, who has scored 193 goals throughout his career, considerably higher.
United are reportedly monitoring six striker options, with Watkins among them. The report suggests Villa are “unlikely to sell for anything like the sort of fee the Red Devils would be willing to pay.” Watkins remains under contract at Villa Park until 2028, strengthening the club’s negotiating position.
The potential sale of Joshua Zirkzee could free up funds for United to pursue a new striker. The club may operate a ‘one-in, one-out’ policy for the remainder of the transfer window. If Zirkzee departs, United could target an experienced striker on a short-term basis, similar to the role Wout Weghorst fulfilled during his loan spell. However, former United striker Danny Welbeck is no longer an option, having agreed to join Chelsea from Brighton.
Other potential targets for United include Dusan Vlahovic, a free agent after his contract with Juventus expired, and Victor Osimhen, who is reportedly open to leaving Galatasaray. Juventus are also interested in Zirkzee, potentially creating a further transfer link between the clubs. Any deal for Zirkzee could be a loan with an obligation to buy, or a permanent transfer with favourable variables.
