Manchester United could enter the transfer market for a new centre-forward this summer.
The Red Devils have misfired in the final third this campaign. They have netted only 38 goals from 32 Premier League games.
Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee have managed a combined tally of six league goals, and United need an upgrade on the duo.
Daily Star now claim that the Mancunian giants are planning a surprise swap deal involving Marcus Rashford and Ollie Watkins.
Rashford joined the Midlands outfit from United on loan last winter after falling out-of-favour under manager Ruben Amorim.
He has managed nine goal contributions in 16 games for the Villans and has started upfront ahead of Watkins regularly of late.
Villa have the option to buy Rashford for £40 million, but United could make a different proposal.
The Red Devils are planning to offer Rashford as a makeweight alongside significant cash to purchase Watkins, as per Daily Star.
Arsenal were offered the opportunity to land Watkins for £60m last winter, but they were reluctant to pay more than £40m for his services.
Watkins would be a good short-term signing for United
The England international has been in-and-out of the starting line-up at Villa this campaign. He initially faced competition from Jhon Duran, who was sold to Al-Nassr in January.
Rashford has been his main competitor since the turn of the year. Watkins could consider a new challenge, having been on the radar of the Gunners last winter.
In our view, United could propose to pay £10-20m on top of Rashford to purchase the 29-year-old.
Watkins has registered 16 goals and 13 assists in 48 appearances for the Villans this season. 76 percent of his 29 goal contributions have come in the English top flight.
He has converted almost 20 percent of his shots into goals. Watkins is good with his hold-up play and has excelled with his positioning and chance creation in the final third.
Despite approaching 30, he would be an upgrade on Hojlund and Zirkzee. The former Brentford man would be a good short-term acquisition for the Red Devils.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com & Sofascore.com
