. (Photos Recine/Getty Images)
Manchester United continues to look for a reliable striker during the summer transfer.
According to trusted journalist David Ornstein, the Red Devils did their first investigation into Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins.
Man United is determined to bounce back after the turbulent 2024/25 campaign that ends outside of European locations.
At the heart of this rebuild is the urgent need for strikers to lead the line, as demonstrated by the consistent Premier League.
Man United is already investing in new attackers
United are already making a positive move in securing Masteus Kuña from the Wolverhampton Wanderers, adding versatility and creativity to the offense, and Brentford’s Brian Mbeumo is even more tense, so the obvious need for clinical-centric forms remains an Old Trafford priority.
Watkins has emerged as a serious candidate for playing this important role. The English attacker is impressed by Aston Villa, and some of the biggest clubs in the UK have expressed interest in signing him.
Ornstein on Athletic’s YouTube channel:
“Ollie Watkins, a report from my colleague Laurie Whitwell, is among those on the Manchester United recruitment list. You’d be surprised if he wasn’t on the top club recruitment list.
“He is a very good striker, a good young man and they may have made some enquiries at his camp, I don’t know if it went directly to the villa.
“From my conversation with the villa, they think they are not going to let go of Ollie Watkins themselves. They want him to continue with him in advance for them.”
Ollie Watkins can shine with Old Trafford
Watkins’ consistency and experience in the Premier League make him an attractive option for United. United demands players ready to deliver quickly without a long adaptation period.
They struggle with Rasmus Hojlund simply because the attacker is too young at the moment and not a completed article. His experience at the top level is limited, and his shape and consistency have been a source of great concern for the United hierarchy.
However, Villa is reluctant to move the stars forward, especially as they prepare for European football next season.
Nevertheless, United’s clear need for proven strikers may make clubs more willing to invest heavily in ensuring the services of players who can transform their offense.
Report: Man United prepares Club World Cup Star Offer as Amorim’s Eyes Signed Another Sign