ROY KEANE has urged Manchester United to move for Ollie Watkins, insisting the Aston Villa star has the quality to play for a “top team.”
Watkins, 28, has been one of the league’s top forwards this term with 16 goals and 10 assists in 28 outings.
GettyMan Utd have been tipped to make a move for Ollie Watkins[/caption]
Roy Keane reckons the Aston Villa star is one of the league’s best strikers
And his efforts have helped Villa to fourth place in the table.
Watkins fired blanks in yesterday’s heavy 4-0 defeat to top four rivals Tottenham.
But he still looked sharp after carving out several decent chances.
It led to some rare praise from pundit Keane, who believes Watkins can continue progressing by joining an even bigger side than Villa.
The Irishman then tipped former team United to make Watkins one of their first signings in the Sir Jim Ratcliffe era.
The Red Devils will need a new striker as Anthony Martial prepares to quit on a free transfer.
But Keane also reckons Watkins has the quality to star for title chasers Liverpool and Man City.
He explained: “He (Watkins) could play for one of the top teams, couldn’t he?
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“Villa are a top team but you’re talking about bigger clubs in Man United, Liverpool, Man City.
“That’s a compliment to him, not that he has to leave Villa. But he’s capable of doing it.
“The kid is so sharp, he has a great shape to him. His movement is as good as any striker in the Premier League, he’s having an amazing season.”
Watkins started his pro career with Exeter in League Two before skipping right to the Championship with Brentford in 2017.
He made the switch from winger to striker while at Griffin Park.
And Watkins scored 49 goals in three seasons while helping the Bees to the play-off final in 2020.
Villa then paid a then-club record £33million fee for him, with Watkins going on to score 64 goals in 154 outings.
He has also won nine caps for England, scoring three goals in the process, and is hoping to secure a spot at this summer’s Euros.
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