Manchester United continue to be linked with a new striker in the summer transfer window with Benjamin Sesko, Nicolas Jackson and Ollie Watkins among the names mentioned
Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins continues to be linked with a summer move to Manchester United (Image: PA)
Manchester United have reportedly opened talks over possible swap deals with Aston Villa and Chelsea this summer.
The Reds have spent heavily on Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo so far this summer and will need to sell in order to fund more big-money deals. United currently have four players training away from the first team, with Jadon Sancho, Antony, Alejandro Garnacho, and Tyrell Malacia all available for sale.
One other method to sign players away from sales could be swap deals. The Independent claim that United have spoken to both Chelsea and Villa about Garnacho, as well as the possibility of players such as Nicolas Jackson and Ollie Watkins coming the other way.
The report adds that there is one main obstacle as regards to any potential trade with Chelsea. It is said that while the Stamford Bridge hierarchy value Jackson at £80million, they do not want to pay more than £30m for Garnacho.
The Manchester Evening News understands that United are weighing up a move for Watkins or RB Leipzig forward Benjamin Sesko this summer.
The Reds are in dire need of a reliable goalscorer, having scored a mere 44 goals in the top-flight last season, their lowest tally in the Premier League era.
United have identified Watkins as their preferred target, but Leipzig frontman Sesko is also under consideration as they approach the final four weeks of the transfer window.
Watkins reportedly grew dissatisfied at Villa last season, having fallen behind United loanee Marcus Rashford in the pecking order. After narrowly missing out on Champions League qualification on the final day of last season with a 2-0 loss to United, the England international is said to be open to exploring new opportunities.
However, Villa’s current stance is that Watkins is not for sale. The 29-year-old also reportedly has doubts over a potential move to Old Trafford due to the Reds’ inability to offer European football following their 1-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League final in May.
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