Watkins has three years left on his Villa contract - and being aged 29 - there's no great rush for player or club to secure a move. Arsenal made a failed bid for him back in January, at £40million - Aston Villa were after more like £60million to part with their only recognised striker at the time.

Thomas Muller has ruled out the prospect of joining Manchester United this summer but admits a move to Old Trafford has appealed to him ‘many times’. The 35-year-old will call time on his career at Bayern Munich after their Club World Cup campaign this summer and will be available on a free transfer.

United did have Watkins in mind as an alternative to Hojlund in the summer of 2023, but then manager Erik ten Hag and recruitment staff pressed ahead with the younger striker from Atalanta. In October 2023, Watkins signed new terms at Villa running to 2028.