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Manchester United are keen on Ollie Watkins(Image: Matt McNulty, Getty Images)

Aston Villa may be adopting a strategy similar to Liverpool's this summer, insisting that Ollie Watkins is not for sale despite interest from Manchester United.

Consequently, United are now reportedly considering the possibility of signing Watkins before the new season kicks off.

However, it seems United have encountered a hurdle in their pursuit of the 29-year-old; Villa have said he's not on the market.



Villa insiders insist that Watkins will remain at the club this summer, although they did value him at £60m in January when Arsenal expressed interest, before changing their stance when Jhon Duran departed for Al-Nassr.

Whether Villa are genuinely intent on keeping Watkins, or if they're playing mind games to inflate his price, is currently up for discussion.

It comes as United are reportedly reluctant to meet their previous £60m valuation and are exploring a more budget-friendly range of between £40m and £45m, reports the Mirror.

This wouldn't be the first instance of such a strategy being used this summer, as Liverpool initially insisted Luis Diaz would stay at Anfield before completely reversing their stance.

Diaz arrived in Germany for a medical on Tuesday and is anticipated to be unveiled as Bayern's newest recruit in the coming days.

Liverpool said Luis Diaz was not for sale(Image: Getty Images)

With 16 goals and eight assists in the Premier League last season, Villa might simply be playing hard-ball to secure a better price for their star striker who still has three years left on his current contract.

The Red Devils are believed to be leading the chase for RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko, despite Newcastle United also expressing strong interest given Alexander Isak's desire to consider a move away from St James' Park and links with Liverpool.

Benjamin Sesko has been linked with Manchester United and Newcastle(Image: Getty Images)

Leipzig reportedly place a £60m price tag on the 22-year-old, who netted 13 goals in the Bundesliga last season.
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