Rio Ferdinand advises Manchester United to ‘go’ and sign £60 million star following failed Arsenal trade

Rio Ferdinand points during his time as a pundit.

Rio Ferdinand, a Manchester United star, believes the club should go above and beyond this summer to sign Aston Villa attacker Ollie Watkins.

In the summer, the Red Devils added Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo from Wolves and Brentford, respectively, to their attacking lineup.

Ruben Amorim hopes to bring a new goalscoring center-forward to Manchester United’s squad before the transfer season closes.

Some of the most recent names to be connected with a move to Old Trafford include RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko and Aston Villa’s Watkins, but there may be some outgoings before they can proceed.

Arsenal made a £40 million approach for Watkins in the January transfer window, and he was again linked with the Emirates Stadium this summer until the Gunners signed Viktor Gyokeres.

Transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano has stated that Manchester United have had “direct contact” with Aston Villa about a move for Watkins, but they may have to “go big” if they want to sign the £60 million-rated striker.

Romano stated on YouTube earlier this week: “In recent hours, [Man United] had direct contact with Aston Villa.” There was a club-to-club contact – Man United enquired about the status of Ollie Watkins, and Aston Villa responded that they wish to keep the player.

“Aston Villa does not want to negotiate; it must be a really good proposition to change the story. Aston Villa insists on keeping Ollie Watkins and will not negotiate.

“So let’s see if Manchester United decide to go big for him and try to entice Aston Villa, or if they’ll move on to other targets. However, Ollie Watkins remains on the list, and Manchester United contacted him to tell him of the situation.

And Manchester United icon Ferdinand believes the Red Devils should “go” and sign Watkins from Villa because the England international “ticks all the boxes”.

Ferdinand stated on his YouTube channel, “I am greedy, I think we need a centre forward.”

“There’s a myth that I dislike Gyokeres. I think Gyokeres is a great player, but I don’t think he’s the ideal fit for us right now.

“We need someone with experience who the other centre forwards can look at and say, ‘That’s a bit of me,’ without hesitation.

“Ollie Watkins adds that, Premier League proven, played in the Champions League last year, has done his thing consistently for a long, international, and also plays for England. He checks all the criteria.

“Victor Osimhen was undoubtedly my first choice, but that is an old broken record that will not happen.

“But if you’re looking at it now, I’d go with Ollie Watkins if you can get him at the right price.”

“He’s 29 years old, there’s no sell-on value; it’s strictly to have an immediate impact over the next two or three years, which I believe Ollie Watkins can have in a positive way on the existing centre forwards. He would be excellent right now as well.

“That front three if you played Ollie Watkins, [Bryan] Mbeumo, [Matheus] Cunha and you can mix that in with Amad, [Mason] Mount, whoever, that’s a hard day’s work for opposing defence on most days.”