Manchester United have already bolstered their attack with the summer captures of Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo but Ruben Amorim and Co still want to sign a new No 9
Manchester United are stepping up their bid to sign a striker before the start of the new season – with Ollie Watkins now their first-choice target.
United boss Ruben Amorim wants a proven goalscorer to lead his side’s attack, with Aston Villa and England striker Watkins seen as the ideal choice to fill the role. This summer United have adopted a policy of signing players with Premier League experience, as evidenced by the recruitment of Matheus Cunha from Wolves and Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford.
United are continuing that strategy with a move for Watkins, but are understood to be unwilling to meet Villa’s £60million valuation of the 29-year-old.
There is hope among the United hierarchy that a compromise figure of £40m-£45m for Watkins can be reached with Villa and enable a deal to be struck between the two clubs.
Watkins scored 17 goals last season, 16 in the Premier League, with Amorim wanting a striker who can go straight into United’s team and start scoring regularly, without needing time to adapt.
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As well as Watkins, United are keeping tabs on RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko, but the Bundesliga club want around £70m for him and Newcastle are in pole position to sign the 22-year-old Slovenian.
United are exploring the possibility of deals for Watkins and Sesko, but a move for Nicolas Jackson has been ruled out due to Chelsea’s £80million asking price for him.
While Amorim is keen to get a new striker signed as quickly as possible to give him time to settle in and build up an understanding with his new team-mates, he accepts that negotiations could drag on.
In order to fund a move for a striker, United must raise revenue from player sales, with the double sale of Alejandro Garnacho and Antony – both left out of the US tour squad – enough to cover the cost of a new front man.
United are also trying to offload Jadon Sancho and Tyrrell Malacia, who joined Garnacho and Antony in being left behind by Amorim, while Marcus Rashford’s loan move to Barcelona has saved around £12m, with the Spanish giants covering his wages for the whole of next season.
United’s determination to sign a new striker casts doubt over the future of Rasmus Hojlund, who struggled last season, scoring just 10 goals from 52 appearances in all competitions.
Villa sources insist Watkins is not for sale, but they wanted £60m from Arsenal in January, before changing their stance when Jhon Duran left to join Saudi Pro League club Al Nassr.
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