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Ex-Manchester United centre-back Wes Brown has claimed that the Red Devils should snap up Arsenal-linked striker Ollie Watkins this summer.
Watkins, who will turn 30 in December, has established himself as one of the top Premier League strikers since his debut for Aston Villa in 2020. He has netted 75 goals and laid out 36 assists in 184 Premier League games for Unai Emery's outfit so far.
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Commenting on Manchester United's potential summer business, Brown suggested that his former club is in dire need of a proven goalscorer. He told BoyleSports (h/t Metro):
"Manchester United need a striker who has goals and although Liam Delap might not get you 20 just yet, he is a great player and has all the attributes to be a success. Personally, having Rasmus Hojlund up front on his own looked very difficult for him, he got a lot of stick and looked to have no back up whatsoever."
Identifying Arsenal target Watkins as a striker to pursue, Brown added:
"[Hojlund] cannot be left in that position again because it's not fair on him, Chido Obi came in who is another young player, but United have to get a striker this summer. Delap would've been a good player for United, but I'd go for experience. United need a striker and Ollie Watkins has shown us that he can do that in the Premier League."
Insisting United could try to swap Watkins for Marcus Rashford, he said:
"Would Aston Villa swap Watkins for Marcus Rashford? I'm not sure because they still trust Watkins and would need to find a big replacement. They would want a striker who can get 20 goals and those are hard to come by. Look at United and how Hojlund has struggled, but a striker like Watkins would be perfect for United."
Rashford, on the other hand, scored four goals and registered six assists in 17 total appearances while on loan at Aston Villa in the 2024-25 term.
Manchester United and Arsenal-linked star rejects £55 million potential transfer
According to French outlet L'Equipe, Sporting CP forward Viktor Gyokeres has rejected a £30 million-a-year contract from Saudi Pro League team Al-Hilal. Sporting were believed to receive a fee of around £55 million.
Gyokeres, whose current deal will expire in June 2028, is reportedly keen to stay in Europe following two great seasons at Sporting. He is currently being monitored by Manchester United, Arsenal, and Chelsea.
Since departing Coventry City in 2023, the Arsenal target has scored 97 goals and recorded 28 assists in 102 overall matches for Sporting CP.
