Man Utd target Ollie Watkins has already admitted he has Arsenal ‘dream’

Five potential transfer destinations for Harry Kane

Manchester United have added Ollie Watkins to their shortlist of strikers after withdrawing their interest in Tottenham’s Harry Kane due to how much he would cost. Atalanta’s Rasmus Hojlund has emerged as another viable alternative to Kane but the young Dane could cost as much as £86million.

That means the Red Devils are likely to turn their attention elsewhere, and The Athletic say Napoli’s Victor Osimhen, Benfica’s Goncalo Ramos, Eintracht Frankfurt’s Randal Kolo Muani are other names being looked at. All three of those forwards are likely to come with big price tags too though.

As such, Villa marksman Watkins – who ended the Premier League season in phenomenal form – has emerged as another option. The England international has scored 12 league goals in 2023 with only Kane (17) and Erling Haaland (15) scoring more in England’s highest division since New Year’s Eve.

Yet Watkins, who has hit double figures in all of his three top-flight seasons at Villa Park, has previously named Arsenal as his dream club. Watkins hit 25 Championship goals for Brentford in the 2019-20 season.

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At the end of the campaign, he was named Player of the Year and at the awards ceremony told the Sports Gazette: “That’s the dream, to play for Arsenal one day. But it’s a long shot.

“I’m an Arsenal fan so Thierry Henry was my [idol] he’s unbelievable to watch. He was the idol growing up really.” The 15-goal England international is out of contract with Villa in 2025 and so this summer is the final chance for the Villans to extract maximum value from the centre-forward unless he agrees a new deal.

Villa qualified for the Europa Conference League at the end of the campaign and under Unai Emery appear to have a very bright future. But being a key player for a Champions League team who harbour ambitions of challenging for the title in United would no doubt appeal to Watkins.

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It is unclear how much Villa might demand, though. But Erik ten Hag and United reportedly view Watkins as a ‘no risk’ signing courtesy of his consistent goalscoring form for Villa since joining from Brentford for £30million in 2020.

The Red Devils are believed to have watched Watkins on a number of occasions. But he is in discussions with Villa over a new contract and so Villa will hope the player stays loyal if United try to firm up their interest.

United are also looking to sign Mason Mount from Chelsea while a new goalkeeper is also on the agenda with Inter Milan’s Andre Onana, Everton’s Jordan Pickford and Porto’s Diogo Costa among the players targeted. Watkins’ former Brentford team-mate David Raya is also admired but Tottenham are pushing to sign the Spaniard.

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