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21 hours ago
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Manchester United are in the hunt for a new striker this summer, especially after strengthening their roster with the signings of Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo.
The Red Devils are looking to make wholesale changes to their team under the leadership of Ruben Amorim.
They have brought two Premier League-proven forwards to Old Trafford, and now they are linked with several strikers in the market to increase their goal output.
It was an area of concern for United after they finished 15th in the Premier League points table last season.
They had to pay the price because their existing strikers, Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee, struggled to score goals.
Among many shortlisted strikers, United are also linked with Aston Villa star player Ollie Watkins, who could be an ideal fit in Amorim's philosophy.
The Portuguese tactician is looking to sign players who come with experience and can handle pressure, and that defines Watkins, who is Villa's record Premier League goalscorer.
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Hearing such rumours about Watkins, Aston Villa legend Gabriel Agbonlahor has warned Villa and manager Unai Emery not to carry on with this transfer.
Agbonlahor was even more furious when he heard rumours of free-agent Dominic Calvert-Lewin moving to Villa Park to replace Watkins.
“Why you lying for? Don’t lie. Don’t you dare, don’t you dare. Who put that in there?" Agbonlahor told talkSPORT.
“You think you’re going to take Watkins and we’re going to get Calvert-Lewin? No way, I’d move countries. Because Man United, of all clubs, taking Ollie Watkins would really hurt me.”
Watkins has been the epitome of consistency for Aston Villa over the years. He has broken Agbonlahor's 75-goal record to become Villa's highest goalscorer in the Premier League.
Why are Manchester United chasing Villa's Ollie Watkins?
The 29-year-old has netted 10-plus goals for Villa in each of his five seasons, whilst scoring 27 goals in the 2023/24 campaign across all competitions.
He had some tension with Emery last season, as he was dropped from a few important fixtures, with the Spaniard preferring on-loan Marcus Rashford over the Englishman.
While his relationship with Emery has significantly improved since then, Villa may still look to sell him due to PSR troubles this summer.
According to reports, Villa have slapped a £60m ($80.5m) price tag on Watkins, but United values him in the region between £40-45m ($53.7-57.1m).
Watkins is at his best when he has space to run in behind the opposition defenders and can also drift wide to make room for his teammates in attack.
A front three of Watkins, Cunha and Mbuemo could work like magic for the Red Devils.
The 29-year-old finished the 2024/25 Premier League campaign with 16 goals and eight assists from 36 games and would look to continue that form if he moves to Old Trafford.
Apart from Watkins, United are also battling with Newcastle United to secure the services of RB Leipzig star Benjamin Sesko.
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