Aston Villa have reportedly told Manchester United that Ollie Watkins is not for sale. Ruben Amorim‘s team are in the hunt for a new striker, and it is reported that the Villa forward is among those being considered.
Ollie Watkins (pictured centre right) has been linked with United.(Image: 2024 The FA)
Watkins joined Villa in a £33million transfer from Brentford in September 2020. Since then, he has made his mark as one of the leading attackers in English football, netting 87 goals and providing 42 assists in 223 appearances. However, Watkins could be set to depart Villa during the summer transfer window.
It has been suggested that he was left disgruntled after United loanee Marcus Rashford pushed him down the selection order, resulting in him being the second choice for several key matches in April, including the two-legged Champions League quarter-final against Paris Saint-Germain. This has fuelled rumours about a potential exit.
The Reds have reportedly held fresh talks with Villa over Watkins’ availability. United want to sign a new striker after completing deals for Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha and their budget could depend on selling players first.
But The Telegraph report that United have been informed Watkins is going nowhere. The 29-year-old, who is valued at around £60m, has three years left on his contract at Villa Park.
The same report also claims that United made a surprise loan offer for Argentine World Cup winner Emi Martinez. Villa reportedly instantly rejected the offer for the goalkeeper
It is said that Villa will only consider letting him go if a club meets their valuation. That. price is understood to be around the £40m mark.
The Reds may sign a new goalkeeper this summer after Andre Onana’s injury. Ruben Amorim has been open to signing a keeper to challenge Onana for his starting role for some time.
But it is understood that the chances of a new arrival immediately usurping Onana are slim. The Reds have also been linked with Royal Antwerp goalkeeper Senne Lammens.
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