The latest Manchester United transfer news and gossip including updates on Ollie Watkins and Metz teenager Idrissa Gueye
Ollie Watkins could move to Manchester United this summer(Image: Bradley Collyer/PA Wire)
Manchester United remain alert to opportunities that could arise in the summer transfer window following the signings of Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo.
Those two players have cost United £133.5 million, but more spending could follow with a new striker among the club’s priorities. The likes of Benjamin Sesko, Nicolas Jackson and Ollie Watkins are players to have been linked with a move to Old Trafford in recent weeks.
On the pitch, United are stepping up their pre-season preparations and are currently in the United States for the Premier League Summer Series. They are set to face West Ham, Bournemouth, and Everton before hosting Fiorentina at Old Trafford on August 9.
Here, MEN Sport has taken a look at the latest headlines.
Ollie Watkins claims
Aston Villa have communicated that Watkins is not for sale following initial contact from United, according to Sky Sports.
The 29-year-old England international is believed to be one of a number of strikers the club have looked at, including Nicolas Jackson and Benjamin Sesko from Chelsea and RB Leipzig respectively.
Watkins is thought to be valued in the region of £60m by Villa.
The Manchester Evening News understands that the club have not directly contacted Villa about the possible availability of the striker.
MEN Sport says: There are better options out there. Watkins, who will turn 30 at the end of the year, doesn’t quite align with the club’s push for emerging talent with high res-ale value. In contrast, targeting someone like Benjamin Sesko makes far more sense at this stage.
Not only does he fit the youthful profile United are prioritising, but with Arsenal no longer in the race the path to securing him is less congested – making it a smarter, more strategic move for the club.
‘Contact’ for young forward
French outlet L’Equipe claims the Reds are one of several clubs interested in Senegalese striker Idrissa Gueye. The 18-year-old is expected to leave FC Metz just months after joining from Generation Foot.
The report adds that Metz are looking for a fee of €20m (£17m) to part ways with the youngster. United are said to have followed him for ‘several months’ as well as Borussia Dortmund.
The pair have reputedly entered discussions with his entourage.
MEN Sport says: The 18-year-old perfectly embodies the type of young, high-potential talent United are targeting as part of their long-term strategy. His profile aligns with the club’s wider vision of building a squad that can deliver now while also laying strong foundations for the future.
—
Here at The Manchester Evening News, we are dedicated to bringing you the best Manchester United coverage and analysis.
Make sure you don’t miss out on the latest United news by joining our free WhatsApp group. You can get all the breaking news and best analysis sent straight to your phone by clicking here to subscribe.
You can also subscribe to our free newsletter service. Click here to be sent all the day’s biggest stories.
And, finally, if you would rather listen to our expert analysis then make sure to check out our Manchester is Red podcast, featuring The Samuel Luckhurst Show and The Midweek Debate. Our shows are available on all podcast platforms, including Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and you can also watch along on YouTube.