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Manchester United are keeping a close watch on Aston Villa striker Oli Watkins as a possible replacement for Joshua Zirkzee, with Villa believed to be demanding a £40 million fee, according to SunSport.

The report draws a direct link between the two situations: United would only move for Watkins in an official capacity if Zirkzee is allowed to leave Old Trafford this summer, with any exit for Zirkzee expected to be in the form of a loan rather than a permanent transfer.

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Zirkzee joined United in the summer of 2024 from Bologna for £36.5 million, arriving under Erik ten Hag after an excellent Serie A season in which he helped the Italian club reach the Champions League. The idea was that United had signed a technically skilled forward who could add more than just goals in the box – not necessarily a high-volume scorer, but a clever creator who could open up space for his team-mates.

Joshua Zirkzee in action during a Manchester United fixture.

That description has now turned into the issue. With Benjamin Šeško leading the attack and Bryan Mbeumo able to fill in centrally, it has become harder for Zirkzee to nail down a regular starting place under Michael Carrick. He scored only two goals in 24 Premier League matches last season before injury ended his campaign early and also disrupted his pre-season build-up. He did, however, look sharp in pre-season against Rosenborg, .

INEOS have blocked a permanent sale, which is why loan interest from Juventus and AS Roma has been the most realistic exit route. .

Watkins brings what Zirkzee does not: a tested Premier League scoring record. The 30-year-old has netted 91 goals in 221 Premier League appearances and also offers Champions League experience – one goal and four assists in 12 European matches – which would be valuable as United look to compete on several fronts next season.

Oli Watkins celebrates a goal for Aston Villa.

United are not the only side interested. Arsenal have also been linked with Watkins, while Fenerbahce were reportedly weighing up a £30 million bid before stopping short of Villa’s asking price. with interest from across Europe before United secured his services in a £36.5 million deal. so the logic of the Watkins interest holds – but the timing is important. A £40 million investment would be a major commitment, especially with midfield and full-back reinforcements also being targeted.

Whether United make a formal move depends on Zirkzee’s situation being settled first – and with INEOS blocking a permanent departure, that may take longer than the window can comfortably allow.