Manchester United preparing offer for Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins in summer 2024

Watkins is fourth top scorer in the league this season

Despite Aston Villa’s Tuesday night Champions League qualification, Manchester United may be exploring an “audacious raid” to lure Aston Villa and England striker Ollie Watkins to Old Trafford.

After a disappointing season on the pitch, United are already making plans for the following one. In the Premier League, where the club appears increasingly unlikely to win European football for only the second time in club history, they may try to sign new players to increase their chances of success.

Ollie Watkins has been spectacular for Aston Villa lately, and his 19 Premier League goals this year are by far his best total. With 13 assists, he is the only player to have over 30 goals and assists in a single season aside from himself, Erling Haaland, and Cole Palmer. As a result, United are rumoured to be preparing a surprise raid.

According to the talkSPORT source, Sir Jim Ratcliffe is planning an “audacious” move to acquire Watkins, who would help encourage and foster Rasmus Hojlund at Old Trafford and matches the description of a typical “proven centre-forward.”

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The youthful striker for United had a winning streak shortly after Christmas, but overall he has gone for extended stretches of time without finding the back of the net. With the right guidance and support, he might reach his full potential.

Any agreement, though, would be difficult for United to complete. With Manchester City’s 2-0 victory against Tottenham on Tuesday, Villa secured their Champions League status. Given that United doesn’t appear to have any European football, this could have a significant impact.

Watkins is content at Villa under Unai Emery, with four years remaining on his contract, top European football to play, and a spot in England’s EURO 2024 squad appearing all but guaranteed. Furthermore, any move for the former Brentford player does seem excessively ambitious given how uncertain United’s management future appears to be.

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