Manchester United has reportedly identified Aston Villa forward Ollie Watkins as their top transfer target for the upcoming summer window, and the club is optimistic about securing him at a more favorable price.
Roy Keane has expressed confidence in Watkins’ ability to lead Manchester United’s attack as they prioritize the Aston Villa player. The United manager, Ruben Amorim, has already enhanced his squad by bringing in Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo for a total exceeding £120 million. Nonetheless, he continues to search for a standout No. 9 to spearhead his team’s transformation.
United seems to be focusing on domestic talent this transfer window, valuing Premier League experience highly. Despite Aston Villa’s firm declaration that Watkins is not for sale, they have estimated his value at around £60 million, which provides a target for United to negotiate against.
The club is hopeful of reaching an agreement in the range of £40 million to £45 million for Watkins. Keane has previously commented on the ongoing discussions, asserting that Watkins has the potential to excel at a top club like Manchester United. In a 2024 appearance on Sky Sports, the former United midfielder stated, “He could play for one of the top teams, couldn’t he? Villa are a top team but you’re talking about bigger clubs in Manchester United, Liverpool, Manchester City. That’s a compliment to him, not that he has to leave Villa. But he’s capable of doing it.”
Keane also lauded Watkins’ performance in the league, remarking, “The kid is so sharp, he has a great shape to him. His movement is as good as any striker in the Premier League. He’s having an amazing season.”
Last season, Watkins made 54 appearances, netting 17 goals and providing 14 assists—exactly the kind of output United desperately needs as they seek to recover from a difficult start to Amorim’s reign. Currently, United has two strikers, Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee, but both have struggled for form since joining the club. Together, Hojlund and Zirkzee scored a total of 17 goals last season, matching Watkins’ output at Villa. Zirkzee, who arrived for £36.5 million last summer, managed only seven goals and three assists, while Hojlund, a £72 million signing, contributed 10 goals and four assists over 52 appearances.
Recognizing the necessity for a more dependable goal-scorer to drive success, Amorim sees Watkins as a potential solution. Besides Watkins, United is also keeping an eye on RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko. Although he played for a struggling Bundesliga squad last season, the 22-year-old maintained impressive form, scoring 13 goals and providing five assists in 33 league matches, along with four goals in eight Champions League outings. However, Sesko’s £70 million price tag may prove a challenge for United, particularly after their recent expenditure on Cunha and Mbeumo.
The Red Devils also need to fill other gaps in their roster, including the search for a defensive midfielder and a new goalkeeper. Both Andre Onana and Altay Bayindir have raised doubts about their suitability for the No. 1 position after inconsistent performances during the 2024/25 season. Additionally, Amorim aims to reinforce his midfield with a competent deep-lying playmaker. However, with their priority being a new striker, and Newcastle United also expressing interest in Sesko, Amorim may opt for the combination of Premier League experience and a smaller price tag that Watkins presents. Keane’s positive endorsement of Watkins adds further weight to the pursuit, reflecting his own successful history at Manchester United.
