Manchester United have reportedly been quoted £60m to sign Ollie Watkins and that's a fee that doesn't fit INEOS' budget. The Red Devils have already spent £71m on Bryan Mbeumo and £62.5m on Matheus Cunha.
Journalist Ben Jacobs reports that Villa have named that price after United held "fresh talks" for the English striker. A new number nine is needed but it seems the club are only looking to spend £40m to fit into their plans this summer.
United are also keen on signing a new goalkeeper amid links with Royal Antwerp's Senne Lammens who Fabrizio Romano claims wants to join. The price quoted for Watkins makes the 29-year-old seem unobtainable but there's arguably a better opportunity to pounce for another proven Premier League goalscorer.
Man United must pounce for Crystal Palace's Jean-Philippe-Mateta
The Reds have already signed two of the Premier League's top goalscorers last season, with Mbeumo finishing joint-fourth (20 goals) and Cunha finishing joint-eighth (15 goals). Watkins was also in prolific form, managing 16 goals which placed him seventh.
Another of the English top-flight's top scorers was Crystal Palace frontman Jean-Philippe Mateta whose name has been sporadically mentioned as a potential option for United. The Frenchman has all the tools to succeed at Old Trafford with his pace and power which saw him net 14 league goals, finishing 10th in the Golden Boot race.
Mateta is a year younger than Watkins but could be less expensive with Palace believed to be looking for around £50m to part ways, per Metro. If INEOS can structure a deal in the same manner as their recent deals by using instalments and add-ons, they could be the perfect option.
The 28-year-old has been in the Premier League since January 2022 and clearly has a ton of experience. He has performed in big games such as away to Arsenal last season when he came off the bench and scored a superb equaliser in a 2-2 draw.
We can't start the season with Rasmus Hojlund
The Rasmus Hojlund experiment is over, the Dane is simply not good enough as seen by his disappointing record of four goals in 32 league games last season. His profile is akin to that of Mateta's, with a tall frame that should see him bully defenders like the Frenchman often does.
The 22-year-old has fallen short of what is required from a United striker and there is no doubt that a new number nine is one of the most important requirements this summer. He can still develop by playing second fiddle under a new reliable goalscoring marksman.
The 22-year-old has fallen short of what is required from a United striker and there is no doubt that a new number nine is one of the most important requirements this summer. He still can develop by playing second fiddle under a new reliable goalscoring marksman.
That said, if it comes down to selling either Hojlund or Joshua Zirkzee it is the Dane who should be on his way. Zirkzee has had less time to showcase his abilities and while he endured a difficult season in front of goal, he proved to be an asset and displayed the hardworking mentality that Ruben Amorim needs from his players.