Ollie Watkins Transfer in Doubt as Villa Push Back on United’s Approach

Aston Villa have reportedly informed Manchester United that Ollie Watkins is not for sale. Ruben Amorim’s side is looking for a new striker, and Ollie Watkins is among the players being considered.

Ollie Watkins joined Villa in a £33 million transfer from Brentford in September 2020. Since then, he has established himself as one of the top forwards in English football, scoring 87 goals and providing 42 assists in 223 appearances. However, there’s speculation that he could leave Villa during the summer transfer window.

Reports suggest that Ollie Watkins was left unhappy after United loanee Marcus Rashford limited his playing time, sidelining him as the second choice for several major matches in April, including the two-legged Champions League quarter-final against Paris Saint-Germain. This has led to increased rumors regarding a potential exit.

United have reportedly engaged in fresh discussions with Villa about Watkins’ availability, aiming to secure a new striker following the signings of Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha. Their budget could hinge on the sales of some players first. But according to The Telegraph, United has been informed that Watkins is no longer available. With three years left on his Villa Park contract, the 29-year-old, who is valued at over £60 million, is still under contract.

The same story claims that Villa quickly rejected United’s unexpected loan bid for Argentine World Cup champion Emi Martinez. They will only consider selling him if a club can meet their asking price, which is reported to be over £40 million.

Manchester United might have to hire a new goalkeeper this summer due to Andre Onana’s injury, which is anticipated to keep him out for several weeks. In order to give Onana robust competition after his comeback, head coach Ruben Amorim has shown a strong desire to strengthen the team, especially in the goalkeeping position. According to insiders, despite this possible recruitment, Onana’s established role and experience make it unlikely that a newcomer will instantly replace him in the starting lineup. Furthermore, Royal Antwerp’s young goalie Senne Lammens has drawn interest from a number of elite clubs due to his outstanding Belgian Pro League performances, making him a possible target for the Reds.