Manchester United Walk Away from Ollie Watkins Deal After Aston Villa’s New Transfer Demand……
In what has become one of the most talked-about transfer sagas of the summer, Manchester United have reportedly withdrawn from negotiations to sign Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins after the Midlands club made a fresh and significantly increased demand. According to Football Insider, talks between the two Premier League sides had reached an advanced stage, but United have decided to walk away after Villa’s latest valuation proved too steep.
The Red Devils, who have been in the market for a proven Premier League goalscorer to support and compete with young striker Rasmus Højlund, had identified Watkins as a perfect fit for Erik ten Hag’s system. The 28-year-old forward enjoyed a standout campaign last season, scoring goals consistently and helping Villa secure European football. His pace, work rate, and clinical finishing had made him one of the top names on United’s shortlist.
Sources close to the discussions reveal that Manchester United initially approached Villa with an opening bid in the region of £60 million. Aston Villa, however, stood firm, valuing Watkins far higher due to his importance to Unai Emery’s side and the current inflated transfer market for strikers. After some back-and-forth, there was optimism that a deal could be reached at around £70 million plus performance-based add-ons.
However, in a twist that frustrated the Manchester United hierarchy, Aston Villa reportedly returned to the table with a revised demand exceeding £85 million, along with additional clauses that would further raise the total package. Villa’s reasoning is said to be based on Watkins’ growing influence at the club, his long-term contract, and the difficulty of finding a replacement of similar quality before the transfer window closes.
For United, who are already operating within strict Financial Fair Play (FFP) constraints after a summer of significant investment in other areas, such a fee was deemed unrealistic. Club executives concluded that meeting Villa’s demand would not only stretch their transfer budget but also set a precedent for future negotiations with other clubs. As a result, they have decided to withdraw from the pursuit entirely.
This decision will disappoint a section of Manchester United supporters who had been excited about the possibility of Watkins leading the line at Old Trafford. Many fans believed that his proven Premier League experience, combined with his ability to press from the front, could have added a new dimension to United’s attacking play.
On the other side, Aston Villa supporters will be relieved by the news. Watkins has become a talismanic figure at Villa Park, consistently delivering goals and assists while embodying the high-energy style Emery demands. Retaining his services is crucial as Villa prepare for a challenging season in both domestic and European competitions.
United are now expected to turn their attention to alternative targets, with names such as Ivan Toney, Dusan Vlahović, and Jonathan David already being linked. Meanwhile, Villa will hope that keeping Watkins sends a clear message of ambition, showing they are not willing to be pushed around in the transfer market.
While the transfer window still has weeks remaining, the collapse of this deal underlines the financial and strategic chess game that defines modern Premier League transfers. For now, it appears Ollie Watkins will remain in claret and blue — much to Aston Villa’s delight and Manchester United’s disappointment.
If you’d like, I can also write you a follow-up article about Manchester United’s alternative striker targets after walking away from the Watkins deal.