This summer, the Aston Villa forward has been linked to a surprise transfer to Manchester United.
Despite rumors of a summer transfer, Ollie Watkins has already expressed his thoughts about Manchester United.
In January, Arsenal made a £40 million approach for 29-year-old Watkins of Aston Villa, but the Midlands team turned it down.
Despite staying at Villa, the England international expressed his dissatisfaction with Unai Emery’s lack of playing time.
Watkins told Sky Sports following Villa’s 4-1 victory against Newcastle in April: “We’ve worked so hard over the past few years to earn that spot in the Champions League.
“I won’t lie; I was furious that I wasn’t playing in both of the games against PSG, even though I played 20 minutes.
“I informed Emery of that. The end of the day, he is the manager. I honor his choice. However, I’m not among the athletes that enjoy being benched.
He has now been connected to a transfer to Old Trafford.
Watkins is on United’s list of possible targets in the event that Rasmus Hojlund leaves the team this summer, according to a story published by The Athletic on Monday, June 30.
According to the article, “As United considers a number of striker options, there has been communication, through intermediaries, between Old Trafford executives and their Aston Villa counterparts to explore the prospect of a deal.”
There have apparently been discussions about Watkins being involved in a possible deal that would keep Marcus Rashford at Villa, but as of right now, no such agreement has come to fruition.
After two bids were turned down in recent weeks, United’s first objective is still to close a deal for Bryan Mbeumo of Brentford.
In contrast to players like Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee, Watkins would offer evidence of his ability to produce at the highest level and proven Premier League experience.
However, what has he said on Manchester United?
In 2020, Watkins listed Arsenal as his ideal transfer destination.
“To play for Arsenal someday is the dream. It’s a long shot, though,” Watkins told Sports Gazette.
“Thierry Henry was my [idol] because I support Arsenal; he’s amazing to watch.”
Watkins has also shown respect for United, despite the fact that his affiliation with Arsenal will not sit well with United supporters.
“It is going to be a different game, obviously, them at Old Trafford,” Watkins stated prior to United’s 4-2 League Cup third-round triumph against Villa in 2022. They will want to defeat us after Sunday [when Villa defeated United 3-1 at Villa Park on November 6, 2022], so it’s not an easy place to go.
“At Old Trafford… you need a bit of luck as well,” he continued. It is certainly a little simpler to play the bottom-ranked team than United.
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