Many will have envisioned Manchester United's transfer window being well underway heading into the club's pre-season, but only one signing has arrived. Matheus Cunha joined the Reds earlier this summer, arriving from Wolverhampton Wanderers after his £62.5m release clause was triggered.
Bryan Mbeumo is United's next target, and work is being done to bring the Cameroonian attacker to Old Trafford. The only problem is Brentford are standing firm on their £65m+ valuation of the 25-year-old, and a third offer is seemingly make or break regarding the potential transfer.
The Red Devils need to back Ruben Amorim with a new number nine too amid Rasmus Hojlund's struggles. It feels inevitable that one will arrive, but one of the latest names linked is overpriced and shouldn't be considered at his current price tag.
Ollie Watkins isn't worth £60m amid transfer links
Ollie Watkins' stock has grown during his time at Aston Villa, becoming one of the most highly-admired frontmen in the Premier League. The English striker netted an impressive 16 goals in 38 league games last season.
The 29-year-old's future is uncertain after Arsenal failed with offers in January but it appears he could be sold this summer for the right price. The problem is that Villa are demanding a fee that United shouldn't match.
The Mirror reports that the Reds have "stepped up their interest in Watkins" after holding "tentative talks" over a possible deal. But the asking price is said to be around £60m, which is unreasonable given his age and apparent availability.
If United get a deal for Mbeumo over the line at around the £60m mark you'd be looking at a new frontline that cost £180m. There's no doubt that Cunha, 26, and Mbeumo warrant such fees given their ages and past seasons, finishing in the top 10 of the Golden Boot race from out wide.
Watkins doesn't because he'll be 30 this December and it feels more of a stop-gap signing than the long-term answer. With Viktor Gyokeres believed to cost around £67m (per Guardian) it feels unjustified that Villa are asking for a similar price for a player whose best days are behind him despite displaying fine form last term.
That’s stupid, villa won’t give you 40M for Rashford after using him on loan, but you are thinking getting Watkins from them for 60M or thereabout… isn’t that stupid???? what would they think of United???
— BIG DC (@dcpromise00) July 4, 2025
Do a deal for Watkins at £40m
If United have given up on Gyokeres as suggested by the aforementioned source then Watkins does serve as a good alternative. He has proven Premier League experience alongside a proven goalscoring resume at Villa Park.
A £40m fee feels more acceptable for the Red Devils, allowing Amorim and the transfer chiefs to then attend to other areas of the squad. A new goalkeeper should be on the agenda despite suggestions Andre Onana will be staying.
Watkins' teammate Emiliano Martinez has been linked but the Argentine shot-stopper is another short-term fix rather than a long-term solution. Why fork out big fees or wages on a 32-year-old who Villa are quite open to letting leave if other younger options such as Torino's Vanja Milinkovic-Savic, 28, who has been linked, are out there.
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