Man United suffer major blow in the race to sign £60m forward

In Manchester United’s annual trawl through the Premier League for firepower, another door has been firmly shut.

According to The Telegraph, Aston Villa have informed United that Ollie Watkins is not for sale. Not for £50 million, not for £80 million, not for any price. Watkins is theirs, and that’s the end of the conversation

United, under Ruben Amorim’s emerging stewardship, have been seeking a dependable No 9 with top-flight credentials. Watkins, who scored 19 goals and provided 13 assists in the Premier League last season, would tick most of the right boxes and is experienced enough to deliver immediately. But Villa, no longer the selling club of old, are drawing lines.

It is not the first time Watkins has been pursued. Arsenal made an approach in January, only to be rebuffed. Villa instead chose to cash in on Jhon Duran, selling him to Al-Nassr for £65 million, a decision that underlined the club’s growing confidence in retaining their best talent.

Watkins is not alone in attracting glances from Old Trafford. United also made a surprise loan move for Emiliano Martinez, Argentina’s World Cup-winning goalkeeper, which Villa swiftly rejected. Their valuation of the player sits around £40 million, and again, there is little indication they are keen to entertain discussions.

Martinez, currently in the United States with Villa on their pre-season tour, may still have an uncertain future. But any exit will be dictated strictly on Villa’s terms.

Meanwhile, there are more positive developments elsewhere in the squad. Talks with midfielder Boubacar Kamara over a long-term deal are nearing completion. Signed on a free transfer from Marseille, the Frenchman has become a pivotal figure in Unai Emery’s system, and his renewal would be another marker of Villa’s upward trajectory.

Villa begin their Premier League campaign against Newcastle United on 16 August, but it’s their stance in the market that is making the louder noise.