All of it feels slightly inevitable, would not it? A brilliant pre-season swiftly squashed as Manchester United fall behind to an early Viktor Gyokeres aim at Outdated Trafford, the digital camera duly panning to his former boss Ruben Amorim trying forlorn on the touchline. It is written within the stars.
Amorim has been pressured to witness his one-time Sporting CP talisman be a part of Arsenal for a charge of round £64m this summer time, regardless of prior claims that the Portuguese coach was eager on a reunion with a participant who scored 66 targets in simply 68 video games beneath his watch in Lisbon.
Hopefully, nevertheless, it’s a totally different quantity 9 stealing the headlines when the 2 sides go face to face later this month, with hypothesis ramping up concerning United’s personal seek for a striker.
At current, the main title to fill that placing void seems to long-term goal, Benjamin Sesko, though would the 22-year-old RB Leipzig starlet actually be the fitting answer?
Newest on Man Utd’s transfer Sesko
It has been a summer time all about strikers, with Sesko proper on the centre of the switch merry-go-round.
Certainly, the Slovenian marksman at one stage gave the impression to be the main goal to affix the Gunners, earlier than Mikel Arteta and co settled on Gyokeres, having additionally emerged as a number one goal for Newcastle United.
Recognized as the person to probably substitute the wantaway Alexander Isak at St James’ Park, Sesko is perhaps yet one more high-profile goal to spurn the Magpies’ advances, nevertheless, if the Pink Devils get their manner.
As reported this week, the Outdated Trafford aspect are additionally now within the combine for the striker’s signature, with United mentioned to be engaged on a deal for a participant who might price within the area of £60m-£70m.
There have been differing stories over whether or not the previous Pink Bull Salzburg man would favour a transfer to Manchester or not, though journalist Graeme Bailey has outlined that Amorim’s aspect are “assured” of securing a deal.
With a possible trade involving Rasmus Hojlund additionally mooted, there are avenues for United to seal this change earlier than the season rolls round. That mentioned, is there not a greater goal on the market to contemplate?
Why Man Utd must keep away from Benjamin Sesko
Sesko has reached double figures for league targets in every of his final two seasons in Germany, though whether or not that type would translate to English soccer stays to be seen, with United having been stung by their £73m funding in a sure Jadon Sancho from the Bundesliga.
The seize of the then-Borussia Dortmund man – who has scored simply 12 occasions in 83 video games in 4 years in Manchester – noticed the Pink Devils fork out for an thrilling expertise with sky excessive potential, with Sesko’s addition more likely to be with the identical purpose in thoughts.
Nonetheless, at a time when Amorim’s aspect are nonetheless reeling after a season through which they completed fifteenth within the Premier League, after netting solely 44 league targets collectively, maybe a extra confirmed, risk-averse choice is required.
Enter, Ollie Watkins.
Whereas Sesko has nudged forward on the centre-forward shortlist, stories have advised that Amorim’s choice could be to go for Watkins, with the England worldwide following within the footsteps of Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo as a top-flight-ready acquisition.
Though Aston Villa seem to have rebuffed any curiosity to this point this summer time, an appropriate bid of round £60m could nicely tempt them right into a sale, not least with the previous Brentford man approaching 30.
There’s a sense that Watkins could be a mere short-term repair because of his age, though having scored a minimum of ten league targets in every of his 5 seasons in England’s high tier, he would signify one of many few ensures in the marketplace.
United solely should look to the previous for purpose for optimism, having famously plucked Dwight Yorke from Villa Park on a £12.6m deal again in the summertime of 1998, following the enigmatic striker’s gorgeous stint within the Midlands.
Ollie Watkins – PL report by season | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Season | Video games | Targets | Assists |
2024/25 | 36 | 16 | 8 |
2023/24 | 37 | 19 | 13 |
2022/23 | 37 | 15 | 6 |
2021/22 | 35 | 11 | 2 |
2020/21 | 37 | 14 | 5 |
Complete | 184 | 75 | 34 |
Stats by way of Premier League web site | |||
Like Watkins – who boasts 87 targets in 223 video games for the Villans – Yorke had been a revelation for his former aspect, previous to becoming a member of Alex Ferguson’s ranks, having netted 98 occasions in 287 video games.
Whereas he would go on to final simply 4 years on the Theatre of Goals, the Trinidad and Tobago sensation greater than made an influence, having notably scored 29 occasions in all competitions through the famed treble-winning season.
Very like Yorke – who was 26 on the time of the transfer – Watkins continues to be on the peak of his powers, having registered 31 targets and assists in all competitions final day trip beneath Unai Emery. That tally consists of 14 assists, showcasing that he’s as a lot of a supplier as he’s a supreme goalscorer.
Lauded as “among the best strikers in Europe” by Emery, the 29-year-old ought to want no interval of adaptation to life at United, with the prospect there for him to additionally rekindle his prior partnership with Mbeumo, following their days collectively at Brentford.
Sesko is perhaps the younger, glamour title, however Watkins’ brilliance has already been seen first-hand throughout 5 constant years at Villa. As Ferguson witnessed within the case of Yorke, including a confirmed Premier League striker into the combination might nicely be devastating.
