credit: Imago

Max Wilkins

Wed 9 July 2025 14:37, UK

Aston Villa star Ollie Watkins has emerged as a target for Manchester United in recent weeks.

The England international, despite becoming the all-time top Premier League scorer for the Villans, has been met with contrasting opinions in B6.

Despite being a regular goalscorer under Unai Emery last season, the sizable number of missed chances began to grate on supporters.

As a result, exit links don’t come as a shock, but with Ruben Amorim’s side showing an interest, an ex-United man has spoken out ahead of a potential summer switch.

Watkins to Manchester United verdict shared in £60m update

In the world of football finances, there is no doubt that Nassef Sawiris and Co. will be considering every possible option to balance the books.

This has seen a number of first-team aces already linked with a move away from the Midlands at this stage of the window.

The Old Trafford club haven’t been shy in showing their interest in B6 stars, with Emi Martinez also linked with a Man United move.

A move hasn’t yet gone through, but there could be a chance that Watkins joins the Argentine with the Red Devils for the new season.

With that being said, former United keeper Ben Foster has spoken out to share his belief that this move would be a negative one for the English forward.

Speaking on the Football Fill-In (8 July), he said: “It’s a step down, without a doubt. I think he’s still very important for Aston Villa.

“I would worry if he went to Manchester United, not only is it a step down where he’d be playing for a team that won’t do as well as Villa next year, it’s almost as if they expect to be signing the big names and I reckon Man United would sign him and the fans would be like, ‘Ollie Watkins? Is that what we are now?’ But he is without a doubt better than any of Manchester United’s forwards.

“If they are paying £50m-60m? They will be thinking that there’s a bigger, younger player out there for that money who is better on Championship Manager. That’s the sort of feeling I’m getting.”

Aston Villa have Watkins transfer decision to make

It is fair to say that Gabby Agbonlahor got stick for saying Man United was a step down for Watkins, despite their horrific Premier League campaign, by their own “high standards”.

This has been echoed by a former Red Devil, despite Foster’s bit-part role, in what was a hugely positive era under Sir Alex Ferguson.

This sums up what the general football world thinks about a move to work under Amorim for the ex-Brentford striker, who has been so superb at Villa Park.

Having got the best out of a sale for Jhon Duran to Al Nassr in January, the Bodymoor Heath hierarchy could look to replicate that with Watkins.

Now, a decision over the future of the striker hangs in the balance, but it is clear to see that many feel that it would be a poor move for the player.

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