Manchester United are mulling over a move for Ollie Watkins, and it's now emerged how the Aston Villa striker feels about the prospect of joining the Red Devils this summer
Ollie Watkins is open to joining Manchester United this summer. The Aston Villa striker has emerged as one of the Red Devils' top transfer targets after moves for Viktor Gyokeres, Hugo Ekitike and Liam Delap all failed.
Watkins, 29, has been a key player under Unai Emery, netting 44 goals in all competitions over the last two seasons. But his future at Villa Park is hanging in the balance, despite no player in Emery's squad making more appearances in 2024/25 than Watkins did.
The England international was quick to voice his frustration after being left out of the starting line-up in both Champions League quarter-final ties against PSG in April.
"Champions League, we've put in a lot of hard graft in the last few years to get to that position. I played 20 minutes against PSG in both games, so I'm not going to lie – I was fuming I wasn't playing," Watkins said after the second leg.
"I let him [Emery] know that. He's the manager at the end of the day. I respect his decision. But I'm not one of the players happy to sit on the bench."
Now, United are lining up a move for him, having trimmed their striker shortlist down to Watkins and RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko. They're keen to sign a new centre forward to partner summer arrivals Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo in their new-look attack.
Having loaned Marcus Rashford to Barcelona, and with faith in Rasmus Hojlund – who may yet follow him out the door – rapidly fading, United's need for a new focal-point striker is urgent.
As a player with plenty of Premier League experience and pedigree (only Erling Haaland, Mohamed Salah and Alexander Isak have scored more league goals than him in the past three campaign), Watkins fits the bill.
According to the Manchester Evening News, he'd be willing to move to Old Trafford now, should an approach be made.
United – whose financial position remains a little precarious – acknowledge that Watkins, who turns 30 in December, won't come cheap. Nevertheless, they're aiming to strike a deal for under £50m.
With three years remaining on his contract, however, Villa retain strong negotiating leverage. The West Midlands club rejected a £60m offer from Arsenal in January and are understandably reluctant to let the striker go, especially after offloading Jhon Duran to Al-Nassr earlier this year.
Still, their resolve will be tested if United table a formal bid, especially given's Villa own concerns regarding Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR).
For now, both Villa and Watkins are in a holding pattern, waiting to see whether United make their move.