Man Utd in talks over deal for £50m star

Manchester United have a huge opportunity to transform their fortunes over the summer, with Ruben Amorim able to conduct an overhaul of his first-team squad.

The 40-year-old desperately needs to be backed by the hierarchy if he is to be successful at Old Trafford, recruiting the right players to fit his 3-4-2-1 system.

During January, he completed a deal for Patrick Dorgu, moving in a £30m deal from Lecce and already cementing his place as a regular starter at left wing-back.

If the side are to stand any chance of a return to a top-four battle in the Premier League next campaign, their business this summer is pivotal, needing to land the right players in key areas.

Given the lowly league standing in 2024/25, signings are needed in various areas, including one department that has failed to deliver throughout the last couple of months.

The latest on Man Utd’s hunt for a new striker

Benjamin Sesko was a target for United last summer, but could reemerge on their shortlist as Amorim looks to land his new talisman at Old Trafford.

David Ornstein confirmed in recent days that he was their number one choice 12 months ago, and could yet again return to such a position ahead of the upcoming window.

However, Ipswich Town forward Liam Delap is another name who’s emerged as a huge target, with his £30m release clause potentially offering a cheaper alternative.

Despite the interest in the aforementioned duo, Aston Villa talisman Ollie Watkins has been the latest attacker touted with a transfer to join the Red Devils in the coming months.

According to FootballTransfers, the hierarchy have already entered preliminary talks with the representatives of the England international, who was subject to a £50m offer from Arsenal back in January.

The £50m star who’d be the perfect Rashford replacement

Ever since Amorim’s appointment back in November, academy graduate Marcus Rashford has struggled to feature, with the manager axing him from his plans due to his attitude problems.

Such a situation led to the England international joining Unai Emery’s side on loan for the remainder of the campaign, somewhat recapturing his best form in the West Midlands.

The 27-year-old has registered three goals and five assists in his 15 outings to date, opening the door to a potential £40m permanent move to Villa Park this summer.

If he’s not in the 40-year-old’s plans ahead of 2025/26, it would be a great deal to offload him for such a fee, potentially landing Watkins as a potential replacement.

When comparing his stats to Rashford’s during the current season, he’s managed to outperform him in numerous key areas, showcasing why he’s the perfect player to fill the void.

Watkins, who’s been labelled “world-class” by one analyst, has massively outscored the loanee, whilst also notching a higher shot-on-target accuracy rate – highlighting his clinical nature in the final third.

He’s also completed more of his attempted passes this campaign, whilst coming out on top in more of the aerial battles he’s contested – offering the all-round centre-forward presence Amorim’s been lacking.

In recent months at Villa Park, Emery has opted to utilise Rashford over the 29-year-old, potentially opening the door away for the former Brentford talisman.

Such a decision could lead to a permanent switch for the United academy graduate, with a move in the opposite direction a dream for the Red Devils, given his stats from this season.

A new striker is desperately needed before the start of 2025/26, with Watkins’ experience in England’s top-flight vital to any success endured in the manager’s first full season at the helm.

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