Another Premier League season has come to an end, and Manchester City has won the league once again. The summer transfer window is set to open, and many clubs will try to sign the most impressive players from this season that ended. Manchester United and Manchester City may fight for the same player this summer, as the clubs want strikers for two different reasons. Man City reportedly wants a third striker for depth, while Man United wants a striker to either compete with Rasmus Hojlund or even overtake him in the starting lineup. The player they are after is Ollie Watkins from Aston Villa. Watkins scored 19 goals in the Premier League this recent season and was one of the best players in the league, as the number he pulled was some of the highest out of any player.
TalkSport reports this rumor as Watkins seems to be an ideal striker for Manchester United to have next season. The English striker is seen as a player who could help Hojlund up top since the Danish striker struggled for most of the season. It would be an incredible signing to excite Manchester United fans, but the deal would be very difficult to make it happen.
🚨 Manchester United are considering an audacious move to sign Ollie Watkins.
— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) May 15, 2024
Watkins fits the profile of the proven striker United want to bring in to support and help Rasmus Højlund. However, it would be a difficult deal for United to do.
(Source: @alex_crook) pic.twitter.com/eZXTeyteIU
In 37 Premier League games, Watkins scored 19 goals and provided 13 assists, which puts him at 32 goal contributions in the league this season. Watkins is tied in second for the player with the most goal contributions in the Premier League this recent season, along with Erling Haaland from Manchester City. Only Cole Palmer from Chelsea has more than Watkins, as he ended up with 33 total goal contributions. Palmer has 22 goals and 11 assists for Chelsea this recent season in the Premier League.
Ollie Watkins’ value in the transfer market
Watkins is currently valued at around $65 million, according to Transfermarkt. The English striker joined Aston Villa in the 2020/2021 season from Brentford for more than $34 million. His current contract with Aston Villa expires in 2028 as he signed a new deal last October, and the player, along with his team, have qualified for the Champions League next season.
Ollie Watkins new deal at Villa 🟣🔵✨
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) October 6, 2023
◉ Contract valid until June 2028.
◉ Fixed salary structure improved.
◉ Includes add-ons season by season.
◉ Fast work by #AVFC as some clubs were keen.
◉ Emery, Monchi and Damián Vidagany all crucial to make it happen. pic.twitter.com/q3XBjQ7lod
