As reports have suggested in recent days, Manchester United are indeed mulling over a move for Aston Villa frontman Ollie Watkins.

From the United fans’ perspective, the latter scenario would certainly make more sense, given that a prolific goalscorer is essential this summer regardless of outgoings being sanctioned or not.

Sky adds that INEOS are ‘exploring the conditions of a potential deal’ for Watkins, who is contracted to the Midlands outfit until 2028.

Watkins has consistently been a standout performer in the top-flight in recent seasons. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

Back in January, Arsenal launched a late window attempt to sign the talisman with a £60 million bid, which is said to have left Villa chiefs ‘fuming’ at the timing of their proposal – especially when considering that they’d just signed off on Jhon Duran’s transfer to Al-Nassr.

Now navigating a precarious financial situation, Villa may look to cash in on the 29-year-old in a bid to comply with PSR laws, paving the way for United to make their move.

He is on the back of yet another stellar campaign in claret and blue, notching 17 goals and 14 assists in 54 matches across all competitions. The former Brentford man is also a fully-fledged England international with 18 caps and five goals to his name for the Three Lions.

It was confirmed at the start of the week that Villa had opted against activating Marcus Rashford’s £40m buy option and subsequently bid farewell to the on-loan Red. Whether there’s an opportunity to formulate some kind of swap deal between the two attackers remains to be seen.

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