Other than a third midfielder signing and a left-back signing, Manchester United are tipped to move for a striker.
Joshua Zirkzee continues to be linked with a move away from Old Trafford, with Juventus emerging as his likely next destination.
Pursuit for Sesko alternative
The Dutch attacker’s expected exit, coupled with the need to finally find a like-for-like alternative for Benjamin Sesko, has reportedly led INEOS to consider striking targets.
Ollie Watkins is one such target.
The Aston Villa striker is clearly one of the deadliest Premier League attackers, guaranteeing 15-plus Premier League goals a season.
Ollie Watkins Premier League stats & assists record
| Season | Club | Appearances | G | A |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25/26 | Aston Villa | 37 | 16 | 3 |
| 24/25 | Aston Villa | 38 | 16 | 8 |
| 23/24 | Aston Villa | 37 | 19 | 13 |
And while he would have brought his goalscoring prowess to Manchester United, that is not all the Red Devils would have benefitted from.
Watkins would also have been the mentor Sesko needed to reach his potential.
Still young and with a lot to learn, the United striker could have picked up plenty from the Villa star, with the pair pushing each other to give the Red Devils one of the deadliest strike forces in the league.
Truth behind Ollie Watkins to Man United talk
However, The Athletic have dropped a bombshell, reporting:
“United are still weighing up the striker market, although a deal is not expected for Ollie Watkins, another player who has been linked. The Aston Villa front man was of interest to United last summer before they signed Benjamin Sesko, but they are not set to revisit that situation a year on.”
With Danny Welbeck off the list and Watkins now off it too, it remains a mystery who the Red Devils might move for to deputise for Sesko.
That said, Zirkzee’s future likely needs resolving first before there is a clearer idea of who replaces him.
Internal solution
That said, while a new name may still emerge, Michael Carrick could instead surprise everyone with an internal solution.
Matheus Cunha shone as Brazil’s striker at the World Cup, while Marcus Rashford and Bryan Mbeumo can also feature as strikers.
The Peoples Person Reliability Assessment
Overall credibility: 8/10
Why?
✅ Reported by a reputable source for Premier League news
✅ United thought to be focused on strengthening midfield and left-back
⚠️ United could go for a striker if they sell Zirkzee
TPP view
It is difficult to know Manchester United’s clear verdict on Ollie Watkins’ transfer. Ineos’ transfer plans this summer have been shrouded in mystery, making it hard to reach a firm conclusion.
Featured image Richard Heathcote via Getty Images
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