Ollie Watkins move to Manchester United hinges on Rasmus Hojlund sale

Manchester United’s pursuit of Arsenal attacking target Ollie Watkins depends on Rasmus Hojlund’s future.

Manchester United are keen on acquiring the services of Ollie Watkins as Ruben Amorim looks to add Premier League-proven stars to his squad ahead of next season. According to a report from CaughtOffside, the Red Devils’ pursuit of the Aston Villa striker hinges on Rasmus Hojlund’s departure from Old Trafford.

Amorim is gearing up for his first full season at the Manchester-based club, and in order to ensure he can turn things around, he is looking for players who already have a lot of experience playing in the English top flight.

They have already signed Matheus Cunha from Wolves and are working on a deal to bring Bryan Mbeumo to the club as well. Meanwhile, Watkins is a top target for the United boss to complete an overhaul in attack.

Cunha and Mbeumo are expected to feature on the flanks with the Villa striker leading the line. The 29-year-old scored 17 goals last season, and he even bagged 14 assists. His arrival can certainly have a massive impact at United. However, signing him won’t be that straightforward.

United face an uphill battle in their pursuit of Watkins

Aston Villa have no intentions of sanctioning his departure, and with his contract running until 2028, they are in complete control of his future. United will have to fork out a big fee to make it happen, and as things stand, they do not have the best of financial situations.

As a result, the report suggests a potential deal will depend on Rasmus Hojlund’s future. The Danish international has failed to make a mark at Old Trafford, and after two seasons full of struggles, the Red Devils are ready to cash in on him, amidst interest from Italy.

If they manage to raise funds by offloading Hojlund, it could significantly help them with their pursuit of Watkins. Meanwhile, Arsenal could also cause problems for the Manchester-based club. The Gunners have a long-standing interest in the 29-year-old.

They tried signing him during the last winter window, but their offer was knocked back by Villa. The North London club could reignite their interest in him if they fail to secure the services of their other targets for the number nine position.