The Manchester Evening News reported that the Manchester United rumored target Watkins has returned to Villa for training.
Watkins returned to Aston Villa for preseason training on Monday. The Manchester Evening News learned that Manchester United is prioritizing the introduction of forwards in addition to chasing the top target Mbemo this summer. The club had inspected Drapp before signing with Chelsea, but has not publicly promoted other alternatives since then. It is reported that Watkins and many players are on the Red Devils' target list to strengthen the front line this summer.
This Villa's leading scorer contributed 17 goals and 14 assists in various competitions last season, which is a core combat power for Manchester United, whose goal difference is a loss in the Premier League. Similar to this summer, 29-year-old Watkins has been rumored to leave the team in multiple transfer windows, but he is still a Villa player and has returned to the team to prepare for the 2025-26 season.
After most teammates returned to training last week, he was photographed showing up at the training base this Monday. Villa posted an album of players' arrivals on Instagram, in addition to Watkins, another Villa player, Martin, who has a rumored scandal with Manchester United, is also among them.
Vera has a intensive pre-season schedule and will have friendly matches this Wednesday and Saturday. Amorin's team will fly to Stockholm to play against Leeds United this weekend, and then start the preseason tour of the United States. Since the current focus is to finalize Mbemo's trade, Manchester United's search for the No. 9 position is expected to continue until the later stage of the summer window.