Despite Manchester United’s interest, Ollie Watkins is not the answer to their striker dilemma. While consistent, the Aston Villa forward doesn’t offer the elite qualities needed to elevate United to the top.
Manchester United’s hunt for a new striker has been a story that stretches across multiple transfer windows, but even with Ollie Watkins on their radar, he isn’t the player to solve their long-standing issue at the No. 9 spot. Aston Villa’s £60 million asking price for Watkins has been met with skepticism from United, who value the forward at closer to £45 million. Given United’s history of paying above asking price, it’s likely the deal will end up at around £65 million, but that price raises serious questions about whether Watkins is truly worth it.
Watkins has been a reliable presence for Villa, offering consistency over the past two seasons, regularly hitting his expected goals tally while contributing solid dribbling and shot volume. However, at 27 years old, he is comfortably above average but lacks the elite qualities that a club like United needs in a top striker. His numbers are predictable but not game-changing, making him a solid contributor rather than a match-winner capable of propelling United to the Premier League title or deep Champions League runs.
United’s striker search has been ongoing for nearly a decade, and while Watkins may represent an upgrade over their current crop of forwards, he is unlikely to make them serious contenders for top honors. His ceiling doesn’t align with the aspirations of a club aiming to challenge the best in Europe.
Beyond United’s interest in Watkins, the more intriguing part of this potential transfer involves what Aston Villa could do if they were to sell him. Villa have reportedly shown interest in Loïs Openda, who endured a disappointing 2023-24 season after an impressive campaign the year before. Despite his dip in form, Openda’s pace, work rate, and potential make him an intriguing option for Villa as a long-term replacement. If they can sell Watkins for a price higher than they would pay for Openda, it could represent a savvy piece of business for the Midlands club, providing both financial relief and an opportunity to rejuvenate their forward line with a younger, more dynamic option.
In summary, while Watkins might improve Manchester United’s current strike force, he isn’t the game-changer they need to get back to the top of English and European football. And for Villa, the idea of moving Watkins could be a calculated risk worth taking—particularly if it opens the door for a talented young forward like Openda.
