Better signing than Watkins: Man Utd advancing talks to sign £65m star

It’s no surprise to see Manchester United working tirelessly in the summer transfer window, especially after the dismal 2024/25 campaign which saw them break records for all the wrong reasons.

The Red Devils registered their lowest-ever Premier League finish since the division’s formation, notching just 42 points in their 38 matches – achieving another club-low tally.

Ruben Amorim will desperately be wanting added reinforcements to his first-team squad, needing strength and depth in numerous key areas if he is to be a success at Old Trafford.

The 40-year-old’s time in the role has failed to take off, unable to transform the situation after taking the reins from Erik ten Hag following his dismissal back in November.

With the window now fully underway, countless names have already been mentioned, with work needing to be made in the next few weeks to get the additions through the door.

The latest on United’s hunt for new additions

Ollie Watkins has been a name massively linked with a move to United this window, with the 29-year-old costing a fee in the region of £60m during the off-season.

A move would hand Amorim the centre-forward he desires, potentially being a key talisman given his record of 17 goals across all competitions for Aston Villa last season.

However, another name that has been constantly touted with a move to Old Trafford is Brentford star Bryan Mbeumo, with a deal edging ever closer, according to Fabrizio Romano.

He claims that the Red Devils are advancing talks to land the 25-year-old’s signature this summer, with a transfer expected to be completed by the end of next week.

The journalist also states that despite the delay, the Cameroonian only wants a move to the Theatre of Dreams, but his £65m asking price will need to be met for any agreement.

Why United’s £65m target would be a better signing than Watkins

There’s no denying that Watkins would be an excellent option for United this summer, with his goalscoring prowess in the Premier League crucial in the club’s hunt for success.

The Englishman has registered 75 top-flight goals for Unai Emery’s side, breaking the record and being their highest-ever goalscorer in the competition.

However, as previously mentioned, he would cost a pretty penny, as is expected from a striker in England, with talismen in this country always commanding a higher price tag.

There’s no denying his goalscoring ability, but at 29, he’s undoubtedly coming into the back end of his career at the top level, with no resale value coming from their big-money investment.

As a result, Mbeumo would be a better option for the Red Devils this window, offering a more expensive option, but younger and more impactful given his form in recent times.

When comparing his stats to those of Watkins from the 2024/25 campaign, he’s managed to massively outperform him in numerous key areas, subsequently demonstrating the talent he possesses.

Mbeumo, who has been labelled “phenomenal” by one analyst, has registered more combined goals and assists, along with a higher shot-on-target accuracy rate – handing the United side the added threat they’ve been lacking in front of goal.

He also registered a higher tally of progressive passes and key passes per 90, potentially having the tools to offer other attackers the chance to improve their own tallies.

The Brentford star has further impressed by notching a higher take-on success rate, whilst making more carries into the final third – having the ability to thrive with the ball at his feet.

Whilst £65m may appear to be a hefty sum, it’s one that would hand the side an added threat, whilst offering a better option than fellow transfer target Watkins.

If he can replicate his form at Old Trafford, Mbeumo will certainly be a key addition, with the club hopefully finally landing their man given their long-standing pursuit of the attacker.