{"id":289738,"date":"2025-07-25T05:13:11","date_gmt":"2025-07-25T05:13:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/289738\/"},"modified":"2025-07-25T05:13:11","modified_gmt":"2025-07-25T05:13:11","slug":"man-united-enter-talks-over-17m-transfer-as-ollie-watkins-twist-emerges","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/289738\/","title":{"rendered":"Man United &#8216;enter talks&#8217; over \u00a317m transfer as Ollie Watkins twist emerges"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The latest Manchester United transfer news and gossip including updates on Ollie Watkins and Metz teenager Idrissa Gueye<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/1753420391_172_0_Ollie-Watkins.jpg\" alt=\"Ollie Watkins\" loading=\"eager\"  \/>Ollie Watkins could move to Manchester United this summer(Image: Bradley Collyer\/PA Wire)<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\">Manchester United remain alert to opportunities that could arise in the summer transfer window following the signings of Matheus Cunha and<a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk\/all-about\/bryan-mbeumo\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\"> Bryan Mbeumo.<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\">Those two players have cost United \u00a3133.5 million, but more spending could follow with a new striker among the club&#8217;s priorities. The likes of Benjamin Sesko, Nicolas Jackson and Ollie Watkins are players to have been linked with a move to <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk\/all-about\/old-trafford\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Old Trafford<\/a> in recent weeks.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\">On the pitch, <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk\/all-about\/manchester-united-fc\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">United<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\">Here, MEN Sport has taken a look at the latest headlines.<\/p>\n<p>Ollie Watkins claims<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\">Aston Villa have communicated that Watkins is not for sale following initial contact from United, according to <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.skysports.com\/football\/news\/11095\/13401150\/ollie-watkins-transfer-news-aston-villa-consider-england-striker-not-for-sale-amid-man-utd-interest\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"Sky SportsLink opens in a new tab.\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Sky Sports<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\">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.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\">Watkins is thought to be valued in the region of \u00a360m by Villa.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\">The Manchester Evening News understands that the club have <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk\/sport\/football\/transfer-news\/aston-villa-digging-over-ollie-32131362\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">not directly contacted Villa <\/a>about the possible availability of the striker.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">MEN Sport<\/strong> says: There are better options out there. Watkins, who will turn 30 at the end of the year, doesn\u2019t quite align with the club\u2019s push for emerging talent with high res-ale value. In contrast, targeting someone like Benjamin Sesko makes far more sense at this stage.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\">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 &#8211; making it a smarter, more strategic move for the club.<\/p>\n<p>&#8216;Contact&#8217; for young forward<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\"><a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.lequipe.fr\/Football\/Actualites\/Idrissa-gueye-sur-le-depart-du-fc-metz-et-courtise-par-manchester-united-et-le-borussia-dortmund\/1580117\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"French outlet L&#039;Equipe Link opens in a new tab.\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">French outlet L&#8217;Equipe <\/a>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.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\">The report adds that Metz are looking for a fee of \u20ac20m (\u00a317m) to part ways with the youngster. United are said to have followed him for &#8216;several months&#8217; as well as Borussia Dortmund.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\">The pair have reputedly entered discussions with his entourage.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">MEN Sport<\/strong> 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&#8217;s wider vision of building a squad that can deliver now while also laying strong foundations for the future.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\">&#8212;<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\">Here at The Manchester Evening News, we are dedicated to bringing you the best <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk\/all-about\/manchester-united-fc\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\">Manchester United<\/a> coverage and analysis.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\">Make sure you don&#8217;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 <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/chat.whatsapp.com\/HXAanKPyVq058b0gWHXGte\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">here<\/strong><\/a> to subscribe.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\">You can also subscribe to our free newsletter service. Click <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk\/newsletter-preference-centre\/?view=Solus&amp;mailingListId=b696d536-2cc7-49b1-adf3-1471bfaad63e&amp;utm_source=solusarticle\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">here<\/strong><\/a> to be sent all the day&#8217;s biggest stories.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh  undefined\">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 <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/show\/6Rf3zHSgSYkYIA4zaYPz5y\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Spotify<\/strong><\/a> and <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/go.skimresources.com\/?id=76202X1528180&amp;xs=1&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fpodcasts.apple.com%2Fgb%2Fpodcast%2Fmanchester-is-red-manchester-united-podcast%2Fid1264579243&amp;sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.manchestereveningnews.co.uk%2Fsport%2Ffootball%2Ffootball-news%2Fhes-ready-man-united-already-31228583\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Apple Podcasts<\/strong><\/a>, and you can also watch along on <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@ManUtd_MEN\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">YouTube<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The latest Manchester United transfer news and gossip including updates on Ollie Watkins and Metz teenager Idrissa GueyeOllie&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":289739,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[10],"tags":[423,9060,79,12408,16,15],"class_list":{"0":"post-289738","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-sports","8":"tag-manchester-united-fc","9":"tag-manchester-united-transfer-news","10":"tag-sports","11":"tag-summer-transfer-window","12":"tag-uk","13":"tag-united-kingdom"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@uk\/114912166246815969","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/289738","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=289738"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/289738\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/289739"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=289738"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=289738"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=289738"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}