Man United ‘Stepping Up’ in the Race to Sign £60m Premier League striker | OneFootball

Manchester United Pivot Towards Watkins After Gyokeres Setback

Watkins emerges as United’s next option

Manchester United have turned their attentions to Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins after conceding defeat in their pursuit of Viktor Gyokeres. According to The Mirror, the club believes the Sporting Lisbon striker, once high on Ruben Amorim’s list, is set on joining Arsenal.

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Watkins, 29, is now viewed as the next-best fit, with his consistent Premier League output making him an attractive if pragmatic alternative. United, still searching for a striker capable of both leading the line and adapting to the demands of the modern press-and-transition game, are considering a formal approach.

Uncertainty over price and value

Villa are reportedly asking for £60 million, though United are hesitant due to the player’s age and limited resale potential. “United are unwilling to pay that much, given his age and lack of resale value,” reports The Mirror. It adds a layer of awkwardness to a pursuit already undercut by budgetary caution and the need for outgoings.

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There were tentative talks over a player-plus-cash deal involving Marcus Rashford, but Villa rejected the notion. Rashford’s £40 million valuation, combined with recent struggles and public scrutiny, did little to sway Unai Emery’s side.

Limited European appeal

One of the lingering complications for United is their inability to offer European football. Their 1-0 loss to Tottenham in the Europa League final has left them on the outside looking in, while Villa prepare for a Europa League campaign.

Watkins signed a new contract with Villa in October 2023, tying him to the club until 2028. Yet, his status was less than guaranteed last season. Competition with Jhon Duran before he left and a mid-season arrival of Rashford created uncertainty.

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Despite that, Unai Emery remains effusive in his praise. “He’s amazing,” said Emery to TNT Sports. “Because he’s a really hard worker and his commitment to work every day is amazing. His power is his mind. His mentality is the best quality he has.”

United face tough negotiations

Rúben Amorim is reportedly keen on Watkins, valuing his tactical intelligence and proven output in the Premier League. However, with United needing to shift multiple high-profile names, including Sancho, Garnacho and Antony, the path to a deal is fraught with obstacles.

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Watkins may not be the marquee name fans dream of, but in this current climate, he might represent United’s most realistic option.

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For United fans, this will be a gut punch. Losing out on Gyokeres to Arsenal is one thing, but scrambling to secure a backup option while lacking Champions League football underlines just how far the club has fallen behind the pack.

The idea of Ollie Watkins leading the line at Old Trafford would have seemed unthinkable just a year ago. Now, it is presented as logical, even necessary. That shift reflects a wider decline in ambition and recruitment clarity. Watkins is a capable striker, no doubt, but he is not the sort of transformative figure United desperately need.

Even more concerning is the reported £60 million price tag. Paying that for a 29-year-old who is not guaranteed to start for his current club feels like short-term thinking. And trying to use Rashford as a makeweight? That reeks of desperation and a lack of clear vision.

If this is the plan, fans deserve more transparency and greater purpose. Otherwise, the next season risks being yet another chapter in an increasingly aimless rebuild.