Manchester United and Ruben Amorim reportedly have one major roadblock they must clear to bring a Premier League attacking talent to Old Trafford this summer.
Ruben Amorim will be heading off for the pre-season tour with Manchester United this week, with the Red Devils beginning their campaign in Europe first.
United will face newly promoted Premier League club Leeds United on Saturday at the Strawberry Arena in Sweden, with kick-off slated for 2pm UK time.
Following the friendly match in Solna on 19th July, Amorim’s United side will travel to the States for three matches in the US leg of their pre-season tour this summer.
United will face West Ham, Bournemouth and Everton in the US across July and August before returning to Old Trafford for their final tie of the pre-season campaign.
The Red Devils play Serie A outfit Fiorentina on 9th August ahead of United’s opening Premier League match of the 2025-26 season against Arsenal at home.
What could stop Man Utd from signing Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins for Red Devils boss Ruben Amorim?
Ruben Amorim has been tipped to bring in a new striker this summer and Manchester United have been linked with Aston Villa star Ollie Watkins.
Ollie Watkins was placed on a United shortlist in June as a potential target if struggling Red Devils striker Rasmus Hojlund left Old Trafford this summer.
Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee were underwhelming for United in the final third last season and the Red Devils are expected to search for alternative targets.
United have been linked with several different striking options this summer, including Sporting CP star Viktor Gyokeres and Napoli ace Victor Osimhen.
According to GiveMeSport, United could face ‘one issue’ with their move for Watkins and the Red Devils might not be able to bring the 29-year-old to Old Trafford.
The publication reports that the ‘potential asking price’ that Aston Villa have in mind could prove to be a stumbling block for the Red Devils amid United’s financial woes.
Aston Villa’s transfer position over Ollie Watkins and the asking price for the Man Utd-linked attacking talent
United-linked Ollie Watkins is under contract at Villa Park until 2028 and the England international has netted 87 times in 223 appearances for the Premier League club.
GiveMeSport reported that the Three Lions forward is the ‘clear first-choice striker’ for Villa after Jhon Duran was sold to Saudi Pro League club Al Nassr in January.
The outlet claimed that Villa’s exact asking price remains ‘unclear’ for Watkins, but the Premier League club are expected to ‘demand in excess of £50m’ for the player.
It has been added that the ‘final price’ for the transfer could depend on whether or not United pursue Watkins, who has been valued at around £60m this summer.
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
