Aston Villa were slightly surprised Manchester United didn’t push harder for Ollie Watkins | OneFootball

Aston Villa were slightly surprised Manchester United did not push harder for Ollie Watkins, according to the Independent journalist Miguel Delaney.

The Red Devils had Watkins on their radar, and the Villa Park club were expecting an approach after their manager, Ruben Amorim, complained about his side’s lack of goals.

However, Man United opted to sign 22-year-old Slovenian international Benjamin Sesko from RB Leipzig.

Watkins has impressed in the Premier League in each of the last five seasons, notching 75 goals in 184 league appearances for the Villans.

He will be 30 in December, and the Red Devils opted for a younger striker capable of providing a long-term solution.

They signed Sesko in a deal worth £74 million, but Watkins would have cost less. A £50m offer could have been enough to get a deal done.

Villa could now be forced to sell key players this summer as they need to remain compliant with the Premier League’s financial rules.

UEFA fined them earlier this summer for breaching their regulations.

Arsenal wanted Watkins in January, but a move did not materialise. They have since signed Sweden international striker Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting CP.

It is unclear if other suitors will come for him, and he could remain at the club beyond this summer.