Manchester United’s transfer activity is picking up with pre-season around the corner, and the latest player they’ve reached out to has been described as ‘terrific’.
The club moved quickly to sign Matheus Cunha early in the window, but since then, patience has been needed. Navigating Premier League negotiations has been tricky, as shown by the ongoing pursuit of Bryan Mbuemo.
READ MORE: Man United are ‘aware’ of £25m midfielder praised for his ‘remarkable’ work rate
Mbuemo still seems likely to join, though, and he’s already spoken with United about what a deal could look like. The player has gathered plenty of respect – including from inside Old Trafford.
Man Utd getting to know ‘top mentality’ player a little better
After bringing in two creative midfielders, the need for a number nine has only become more obvious in the Man Utd squad.
Liam Delap’s early rejection triggered a wider striker search, and setbacks with names like Viktor Gyokeres and Hugo Ekitike have forced United to look elsewhere.
The club has recently made contact with Ollie Watkins to learn more about what a deal for the Aston Villa frontman would involve.
Watkins is one of the Premier League’s most dependable strikers. Roy Keane counts himself a fan, and there are plenty of others who agree.
Inside the game, Watkins has long been admired for both his ability and approach to the game.
Unai Emery’s arrival has elevated him even further. After the second round of last season, Phil Jones described Watkins as “terrific”, adding: “He is a real handful and he is quite comfortable playing on the shoulder of the defender.”
Danny Murphy noted how Watkins seemed even more comfortable and well-rounded under Emery, telling the BBC: “Every aspect of his game has improved.”
Even before Emery’s tenure, teammate Jacob Ramsey pointed to Watkins’ character, saying: “Ollie has a good mentality… His mentality is top.”
And Emery himself, speaking in April 2024, praised not just the goals but the work rate behind them: “The commitment to the work we need him to do is always fantastic… He deserves this because he’s a very hard worker every day.”
Watkins is proven but questions remain over age and price
Of all the strikers linked with United this summer, Watkins is the most proven in the Premier League.
Liam Delap, Hugo Ekitike and even Ruben Amorim were seen as either too young or untested at this level, while Viktor Gyokeres and Victor Osimhen lacked English football experience.
Watkins has delivered for several seasons now. The main concern is his age – he turns 30 in December, and any deal would not come with resale value.
But his game doesn’t rely on raw speed, and with the right support around him, he could still be effective for several more years.
United’s interest appears to be genuine, and with each step, Watkins looks a more credible target as the window goes on.
His quality isn’t in doubt. Now it’s just about whether United decide he’s worth the investment.
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