Man Utd receive Ollie Watkins transfer response as Aston Villa make stance clear

Ollie Watkins is a target for Manchester United, who want to continue their new trend of signing Premier League-proven forwards with Aston Villa's Ollie Watkins

Aston Villa have told Manchester United that Ollie Watkins is NOT for sale after they enquired about the striker. Watkins, 29, is on United's shortlist as Ruben Amorim makes signing a No.9 his priority for the remainder of the summer transfer window.

The Red Devils have already bought two forwards - Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo - for a combined £133.5million, with a new emphasis on signing players who are proven in the Premier League. Of those who United view as realistic options, they don't come much more established than Watkins.

Since joining Villa from Brentford in a £33m deal five years ago, Watkins has scored 75 goals and registered 34 assists in 184 league games. The England international was the subject of a £60m bid from Arsenal in January but Villa immediately rejected it.

Mirror Football reported earlier this month that United were stepping up their interest in Watkins, whose contract runs until 2028. But Amorim has now been told hands off.

The Telegraph report that Villa have no plans to sell the 29-year-old and insist that he isn't for sale at any price. It's not the first conversation that United have had with Villa Park chiefs this summer.

Earlier this month, the Red Devils made a surprise loan offer for goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez which Villa instantly turned down. Unlike with Watkins, they're willing to let Martinez go if a club meets their £40m asking price.

It's been suggested that United could offer Alejandro Garnacho to Villa in a swap deal for Watkins. Garnacho is on the chopping block at Old Trafford but he wants to remain in the Premier League, with Villa reportedly among his admirers.

The winger wouldn't be a like-for-like replacement, though, and Villa don't have a recognised backup striker in their ranks. They offloaded Jhon Duran to Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr in January for a cool £65m and Unai Emery was delighted to keep Watkins in Birmingham.

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"He's amazing," Emery told TNT Sports in March. "Because he's a really hard worker and his commitment to work every day is amazing. When he is scoring goals, it's the main objective he can have. Where he is assisting as well, he's contributing to help the team.

"But even when he's not doing both, he's working for the team. Defensively, the commitment was always high. He is in the press to the opponent. His commitment and behaviour is always a very good example for others. His power is his mind. His mentality is the best quality he has."