{"id":1167819,"date":"2026-08-25T03:29:20","date_gmt":"2026-08-25T03:29:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/1167819\/"},"modified":"2026-08-25T03:29:20","modified_gmt":"2026-08-25T03:29:20","slug":"rio-ferdinand-urges-man-utd-to-sign-50m-striker-after-chelsea-mistake-football","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/1167819\/","title":{"rendered":"Rio Ferdinand urges Man Utd to sign \u00a350m striker after Chelsea mistake | Football"},"content":{"rendered":"

\t\t\"\"
\n\t\tManchester United legend Rio Ferdinand (Picture: Getty)<\/p>\n

Rio Ferdinand<\/a> says Manchester United<\/a> should explore a shock deal to sign Ollie Watkins<\/a> and criticised the decision not to rival Chelsea<\/a> for Danny Welbeck<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Watkins looks set to leave Aston Villa<\/a> before the summer transfer window closes after missing the club\u2019s opening Premier League<\/a> game on Sunday.<\/p>\n

The 30-year-old was left out of the matchday squad for the dismal 4-0 defeat at Brighton after Unai Emery confirmed interest from Saudi Pro League<\/a> side Al Hilal.<\/p>\n

Speaking before this weekend\u2019s heavy defeat, Emery refused to guarantee Watkins would still be an Aston Villa player by the time the transfer window shuts.<\/p>\n

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\u2018We have an issue with him, it\u2019s clear,\u2019 Emery said. \u2018He is our player, we have had offers for him.<\/p>\n

\u2018I don\u2019t want to sell him but it can change because if it\u2019s a good option for him and the club and I can replace him in the squad, this is the routine we have and we did before with the players who are leaving.<\/p>\n

\u2018With Ollie, he is here, for me he is a fantastic striker, we have always believed in him.<\/p>\n

\t\t\"File
\n\t\tOllie Watkins looks set to leave Aston Villa (Picture: PA)<\/p>\n

\u2018Now he is our player, there are 10 days more or less to finish the transfer window, we will see what happens, I\u2019m happy with him, if he is staying with us he will continue playing his level.<\/p>\n

\u2018If he leaving it\u2019s because it is good for three ways, one is him, another is the club and another is the team.\u2019<\/p>\n

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Watkins has scored 108 goals for Aston Villa since his 2020 move from Brentford and is the club\u2019s record Premier League scorer.<\/p>\n

\t\t\"EDITORIAL
\n\t\tAston Villa boss Unai Emery (Picture: Shutterstock)<\/p>\n

He has been an England regular in recent years and was selected in Thomas Tuchel\u2019s squad for the World Cup earlier in the summer<\/a> but barely featured.<\/p>\n

Arsenal expressed interest in signing Watkins back in January<\/a> and Ferdinand believes Manchester United should also consider a move for the wantaway star.<\/p>\n

\u00a373m signing Benjamin Sesko was named on United\u2019s bench for Saturday\u2019s shock defeat to Hull City<\/a>, with Matheus Cunha leading the line.<\/p>\n

\t\t\"HONG
\n\t\tChelsea summer signing Danny Welbeck (Picture: Getty)<\/p>\n

Man United have not been linked with many strikers this summer, with the club\u2019s focus bolstering Michael Carrick\u2019s midfield options with the signings of Youri Tielemans, Andrey Santos and Carlos Baleba.<\/p>\n

But Ferdinand would be keen for a new striker to arrive at Old Trafford and named Watkins as a possible target after Manchester United failed to pursue Welbeck.<\/p>\n

Welbeck completed a cheap move to Chelsea earlier in the summer<\/a> and Ferdinand is disappointed United did not try to bring him back to the club.<\/p>\n

\t\t\"DUBLIN,
\n\t\tManchester United striker Benjamin Sesko (Picture: Getty)<\/p>\n

\u2018The importance of Benjamin Sesko is huge, especially going to a place like that,\u2019 Ferdinand said on his YouTube channel<\/a> when analysing Manchester United\u2019s dismal defeat at Hull.<\/p>\n

\u2018You need him in the\u00a0team\u00a0and\u00a0I\u2019m\u00a0interested to see how he does this season in that sense.<\/p>\n

\u2018The big question is, does United\u2019s budget stretch\u00a0to\u00a0go and get\u00a0an Ollie Watkins or someone like that\u00a0now?<\/p>\n

\u2018If Danny Welbeck was on the market, and he clearly was, that\u2019s one who Man United should have gone for because he could still have had an important role to play despite being happy to be on the bench at this stage of his career.<\/p>\n

\u2018But\u00a0let\u2019s\u00a0not get too carried away,\u00a0it\u2019s\u00a0the first game of the season and we know\u00a0it\u2019s\u00a0a marathon, not a sprint.<\/p>\n

\u2018Manchester United need to set their stall out in a realistic manner. We\u00a0can\u2019t\u00a0pretend that Man United should be going for the Premier League title this season.<\/p>\n

\u2018We all want\u00a0that\u00a0but you need to be realistic and realise where you are. I think they will finish in the\u00a0top-four\u00a0and I would be happy with\u00a0top-four.<\/p>\n

\u2018We need to\u00a0consolidate\u00a0the success we had last season and if we can get a trophy on top of that then great.\u2019<\/p>\n

For more stories like this,\u00a0check our sport page<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

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\nMORE: Gary Neville urges Xabi Alonso to replace Chelsea star after Fulham win<\/a><\/p>\n


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