Watkins has three years left on his Villa contract - and being aged 29 - there's no great rush for player or club to secure a move. Arsenal made a failed bid for him back in January, at £40million - Aston Villa were after more like £60million to part with their only recognised striker at the time.

COMMENT: Man Utd have three major first-team players they could send to Aston Villa in a deal for Ollie Watkins.

United did have Watkins in mind as an alternative to Hojlund in the summer of 2023, but then manager Erik ten Hag and recruitment staff pressed ahead with the younger striker from Atalanta. In October 2023, Watkins signed new terms at Villa running to 2028.