Manchester United were jokingly told they needed to pay £100million and exchange Marcus Rashford for Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins last season. However, that proposal is not looking quite so outrageous anymore with the England duo having had entirely contrasting starts to the 2023-24 Premier League season.
United were linked with Watkins last season. Despite Rashford’s excellent form across all competitions, Erik ten Hag wanted a new centre-forward to ease the scoring burden from Rashford’s shouldersWatkins had also enjoyed a positive upturn in form during the early months of Unai Emery’s reign, with the Spaniard replacing Steven Gerrard in October 2022. United were understood to have been keen on the former Brentford attacker.
However, former Villa man Stan Collymore cheekily told United that they would need to pay £100m and exchange Rashford to have any chance of signing Watkins. Responding to the rumour, Collymore posted on X: “£100m plus Rashford. Sounds about right…”
It was a tongue-in-cheek remark but was clearly an entirely preposterous idea. But some Villa fans may argue that it is not quite such an outlandish proposition anymore.
In an extremely productive campaign, Watkins has scored 14 goals and assisted a further eight strikes across all competitions. Nine of his goals have come in the Premier League, where high-flying Villa are third after 17 games.
Meanwhile, Rashford has endured a tough campaign, failing to build on the form that saw him enjoy his most prolific season last term. The 26-year-old has scored only two Premier League goals and has dipped in and out of Ten Hag’s team.
A move for Watkins would likely cost United close to £100m now given his form and the fact that he signed a new five-year contract in October. The 27-year-old, who has regained his place in the England squad and looks a certainty for Euro 2024, will cost a premium fee to any club wanting to sign him.
