Manchester United have been given a response by fellow Premier League side Aston Villa after the Red Devils’ inquiry about striker Ollie Watkins
Ruben Amorim’s side have been trying to bring a new striker in. In that quest, Manchester United turned to Villa’s Watkins, but the West Midlands club has now responded firmly.
It has been a tough summer transfer window for Manchester United who have only been able to bring in Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha as new additions to the squad. However, Amorim is not satisfied, and he is keen on bringing another Premier League proven player to Old Trafford to help his side.
Since his £33m move from Brentford to Villa five years ago, Watkins has emerged as one of the best strikers in the English top-flight with a return of 75 goals and 34 assists in over 184 league matches. It will be recalled that Arsenal went for him back in January but the £60m bid from the Gunners was swiftly turned down.
Despite the slow movement in the transfer window, fans have started showing interest in the Manchester United tickets ahead of the new season.
Aston Villa give Manchester United response over Watkins
Manchester United’s hopes of signing Ollie Watkins have been dashed, as Aston Villa have informed the club that their striker is not available for transfer despite their recent enquiry.
According to The Telegraph, Unai Emery’s side have no plans to sell the 29-year-old and have stated he is not for sale at any price. It is the second time that United will be reaching out to the Villans.
The Red Devils first tried to poach goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez earlier in the summer, but they failed to meet the set transfer fee by Villa. Unlike the situation with Watkins, Villa are ready to let Martinez leave, but the asking price has to be met.
Meanwhile, reports have also indicated that Manchester United are proposing a swap deal involving Alejandro Garnacho and Watkins. Garnacho, told by Amorim to look for a club, is keen to remain in the Premier League, and it appears Unai Emery is one of his admirers.
However, Garnacho is not a direct replacement for Watkins, and that could affect the proposed swap.
Villa have already sold Jhon Duran to Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr in January for a hefty £65m, so Emery opted to keep Watkins at the time. With no backup or clear replacement available, a swap might not be possible between the two clubs.
Emery said to TNT Sports in March about Watkins: “He’s amazing. Because he’s a really hard worker and his commitment to work every day is amazing. When he is scoring goals, it’s the main objective he can have. Where he is assisting as well, he’s contributing to help the team.
“But even when he’s not doing both, he’s working for the team. Defensively, the commitment was always high. He is in the press to the opponent. His commitment and behaviour is always a very good example for others. His power is his mind. His mentality is the best quality he has.”
“Watkins wants to stay”
Back in January, Aston Villa boss Unai Emery revealed that striker Ollie Watkins said he wants to remain at the club.
“Yes, he is happy to stay,” he said, when asked if Watkins had expressed his desire to remain at Villa Park.
“You can ask him, but we asked him how he is feeling every day, every year he has been here with Aston Villa, with us and without us.”
“The commitment of Ollie Watkins with us is a huge commitment. He appreciates a lot how Aston Villa was always supporting him, helping him, and when we [the current coaching staff] joined him here two years ago, how we worked with him, always trying to get the best of him.
“Now we need him, like he needed Aston Villa. The conversation we are having usually, I am speaking with him a lot, he is always adapting to every circumstance we have in the squad and individually with him.
“When there are some teams calling us being interested in the players, of course it is very good for us and very good for the players. Some players prefer to leave and some players accept to stay here, to be here and commit with us here and to be with our challenge. One of those is Ollie Watkins.”
It seems Watkins is still standing on the point made earlier in the year, and it remains to be seen whether he is going to make a change.
Mancheser United’s business in the ongoing summer transfer period
Manchester United’s business have been a bit slow this summer, but they have managed to sign Matheus Cunha from Wolves after they activated his £62.5m release clause in his Wolves contract.
Matheus Cunha, speaking at his unveiling, said: “It is hard to put into words my feelings about becoming a Manchester United player. Ever since I was a child in Brazil watching Premier League games on TV at my grandmother’s house, United was my favourite English team, and I dreamed of wearing the red shirt. I want to thank my family and everyone who has helped me make that dream a reality.
In terms of the exits, Christian Eriksen and Victor Lindelof have left the club after the expiration of their contracts, while Jonny Evans is set to retire. Apart from the aforementioned, other players like Jadon Sancho, Marcus Rashford, who has now joined Barcelona, and Alejandro Garnacho have been deemed surplus to requirements, while Antony could make his loan move to Real Betis permanent.
Meanwhile, apart from Cunha, United eventually beat Tottenham to the signing of Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford.
Bryan Mbeumo said after his move was confirmed: “As soon as I knew there was a chance to join Manchester United, I had to take the opportunity to sign for the club of my dreams; the team whose shirt I wore growing up.
“My mentality is to always be better than I was yesterday. I know that I have the spirit and character to reach another level here, learning from Ruben Amorim and playing alongside world-class players.
Mbeumo, 25, scored 20 Premier League goals in the 2024/25 season, the fourth highest in the league, and contributed a further eight assists.