Man United take Roy Keane advice as they “prepare huge bid” for Amazing Aston Villa striker

Man United take Roy Keane advice as they “prepare huge bid” for Amazing Aston Villa striker

Roy Keane will be delighted as Man Utd reportedly prepare an audacious transfer pursuit for Rasmus Hojlund’s new partner

Manchester United are reportedly weighing up an audacious swoop for Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins this summer following a sensational season.

Rasmus Hojlund is expected to receive much-needed competition after a mixed maiden campaign, and Roy Keane would be among those excited by a pursuit of Watkins.

Watkins has scored 27 goals and provided a further 13 assists in 52 appearances in all competitions this season.

No player has been directly involved in more Premier League goals than his tally of 32, level with Erling Haaland, which has placed him in the Player of the Year conversation.

Meanwhile, Bruno Fernandes is United’s top goalscorer this term with 15 strikes, closely followed by Hojlund, who has netted 14 times since completing his £72million switch from Atalanta last summer.

Anthony Martial’s regular injury absence has often left the 21-year-old isolated as he adapts to English football, stressing the need for fresh firepower this summer.

According to talkSPORT, United are considering tabling an offer for Watkins to replace Martial as the club’s No. 9 when his contract expires in June.

Watkins is said to match the profile of a striker that INEOS want to sign to fit their new-look game model and support Hojlund’s development.

However, it goes without saying that luring the England international away from Villa Park ahead of a historic return to the Champions League will prove difficult.

Watkins himself may not be keen to leave while he’s enjoying the best form of his career. Villa and Unai Emery would undoubtedly be reluctant to cash in on their star man.

United’s task would be made trickier by the fact that Villa will replace them in next season’s Champions League.

And Erik ten Hag’s side won’t have any European football to offer at all if they finish outside of the top seven and lose next week’s FA Cup final.

But a chase for Watkins is an exciting prospect, and one ex-United captain, Keane, would endorse after producing a glittering assessment in March.