- 9 hours ago
Ollie Watkins’ three reasons for accepting ‘audacious’ Man Utd transfer offer
Robin Bairner
- 15 May 2024 13:15 BST
- 4 min read
Manchester United are ready to make what has been described as an “audacious” attempt to lure England striker Ollie Watkins from Aston Villa this summer.
TalkSport indicates that United want to bring him to the club to act as a competition to Rasmus Hojlund in attack, with some players reportedly concerned that the former Atalanta hitman is not good enough for the Red Devils.
“Watkins fits the profile of the proven centre-forward Man United's new minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe wants to bring in to support and help develop Rasmus Hojlund,” the report claims.
READ MORE: Man Utd join race to sign Premier League’s most wanted free agent – Fabrizio Romano
STATS
Ollie Watkins
F (CL), AM (L)
Aston Villa
Ollie Watkins
F (CL), AM (L)
Aston Villa
While there is no question that Watkins would be a welcome presence in what has been a misfiring Man Utd attack for the best part of 18 months, since Cristiano Ronaldo departed, the prospect of him making the switch to Old Trafford appears a distant one.
Aston Villa, for example, have just qualified for the Champions League for the first time. There is no guarantee United will even be in Europe. Watkins, meanwhile, still has four years left to run on his contract.
There could be some logic in the Torquay-born forward making the move to Old Trafford, though.
READ MORE: 10 players who could join Man Utd this summer
Spearhead the new project
While the challenge at Manchester United is, undoubtedly, huge, the rewards for Watkins could be similarly big.
This is a club that has lost its way but, under Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Ineos, is embarking on an exciting new project designed to lift it back to the top of the European game.
Watkins could be immortalised at one of the biggest clubs in the world if he were to be successful.
He already has an impressive legacy at Aston Villa, but while they are in the Champions League next season, the Birmingham side will do well to qualify again next term.
Last chance for a big move
Aged 28, Watkins is at a crossroads in his career. This could be the final opportunity he has to move to a super club.
For a guy who started out playing for Exeter in League Two, reaching the heights of Man Utd would be the climax of a fairy tale career.
On top of this, the pay raise he would inevitably earn would be a welcome bonus.
READ MORE: Latest Man Utd transfer rumours
Improve England chances
Despite hitting double figures of Premier League goals in each of the last four seasons with Villa, Watkins has earned only 11 caps for his country, five of which came back in 2021.
In the eyes of the selectors, scoring goals at Aston Villa and Manchester United are two completely different things, and if he wants to give his prospects of playing a more prominent role for the Three Lions, leaving for Old Trafford would doubtless help his cause.
