MU transfer news: Watkins' feelings clear on move as another striker ruled out

Manchester United have turned their attention to Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins as they look to sign a centre-forward in the summer transfer window for Ruben Amorim

Manchester United are determined to sign a striker before the Premier League season begins. Ruben Amorim has already been given much-needed attacking reinforcements in the summer transfer window, but there's still a missing piece of the puzzle.

Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo have arrived for a combined fee of £133.5million, but United are in real need of more goals. Cunha scored 15 goals in the Premier League last season for Wolves, while Mbeumo struck 20 for Brentford, yet neither are comfortable as a No.9.

That is where United have been trying to find a new player. But with no European football to offer targets, having finished a lowly 15th last season, they missed out on Liam Delap to Chelsea, Hugo Ekitike to Liverpool and Viktor Gyokeres to Arsenal.

All is not lost yet. The summer transfer window remains open until September 1, but Amorim is preparing for their opening Premier League game against Arsenal on August 17, when his old Sporting Lisbon player Gyokeres will be unleashed against him. Here are the latest transfer stories from Mirror Football involving United.

Watkins keen on Man Utd move

Ollie Watkins is Manchester United's No.1 choice in their pursuit of a centre-forward, Mirror Football understands. Benjamin Sesko has been considered, but the RB Leipzig striker isn't considered as good an option as Watkins, who is an experienced Premier League striker.

United are, however, unwilling to pay Aston Villa's £60m valuation for the England star. Instead, they hope to negotiate down to around £40-45m for the 29-year-old forward.

One of the things in their favour is that Watkins is understood to be keen on the move. While he has been an important player for Villa in recent years, he has clashed with Unai Emery over selection in the Champions League and would undoubtedly be the main man at United, where rotation would be less of an issue.

Dortmund emerge as Sancho option

Jadon Sancho had appeared to be set for a move to Juventus, but a third spell at Borussia Dortmund is now thought to be a serious possibility for the winger. Sancho is part of the bomb squad at United, having been told he has no future at the club under Amorim's management.

He had agreed terms with Fenerbahce last month, before that move collapsed. Next came Juventus, with the Italian side thought to be close to signing the 25-year-old for £21.6m.

According to reports, United could now flog Sancho to Dortmund for £15-17m, giving him a third spell at the club. Sancho made his name in Germany initially, joining United for £73m on the back of his form there, and also spent time on loan at Dortmund in 2024.

Jackson off the cards

Manchester United won't be signing Nicolas Jackson from Chelsea this summer. Jackson is exploring his options after the arrivals of Joao Pedro and Liam Delap left him contemplating a season on the bench. United held talks with his agent, but Chelsea's asking price has put them off.

The Blues floated the figure of £100million, with an actual valuation of £80m still way too high for the Senegal international, who has a typically ludicrous but classic Chelsea contract expiry date of June 2033.

Watkins is now United's No.1 target, with Sesko another option. United have spoken to Sesko's agent, but he is younger, more inexperienced and has no Premier League experience.