Manchester United have 'secret weapon' in Benjamin Sesko chase, Ollie Watkins feels 'time is right' to leave Aston Villa - Paper Round

Wednesday's Paper Round leads on the possibility that Manchester United could sign Ollie Watkins should their pursuit of Benjamin Sesko end in failure. A separate report suggests Ruben Amorim's side has a "secret weapon" in their battle with Newcastle to land the RB Leipzig star. Elsewhere, The Red Devils have turned down numerous bids for Harry Maguire, and Aston Villa could sell Jacob Ramsey.

Wakins could be Sesko alternative

Ollie Watkins is ready to make a move to Manchester United should they fail to land Benjamin Sesko, according to The Sun.

The Red Devils are battling with Newcastle in their pursuit of the RB Leipzig striker, with reports suggesting the former has launched a bid of just under £74m.

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However, should Sesko choose to join Newcastle, Ruben Amorim’s side have an alternative in Aston Villa star Watkins.

"Ollie Watkins is ready to step into the void if Man Utd are unable to lure Benjamin Sesko to the club," reads the article.

"SunSport understands that following interest from Arsenal in January, Watkins feels the time is right to leave Villa Park.

"And his wishes may overlap with Aston Villa's, who also face a battle to keep their summer spending within PSR limits."

The report adds: "A bid of between £40m and £50m could be enough to prize Watkins from Villa."

'Terrific' from 'main man' Watkins who stuns Liverpool to put Villa ahead

Video credit: TNT Sports

Man Utd have 'secret weapon' in Sesko bid

Manchester United have an advantage in their pursuit of Benjamin Sesko, reports the Mirror, as the RB Leipzig striker has history with the club’s director of recruitment.

Christopher Vivell, now United's director of recruitment, played a leading role in RB Leipzig signing the Slovenian from RB Salzburg in 2023. Since then, he has scored 39 goals in 87 appearances.

"Manchester United hope their director of recruitment Christopher Vivell will be their secret weapon in their bid to sign Red Bull Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko," states the outlet.

"United are hoping they have another ace up their sleeve in Vivell, who signed the forward for Leipzig in the first place.

"And before Leipzig, when Vivell was at Red Bull Salzburg, he reportedly discovered Sesko when he was a 16-year-old and signed him from Slovenian club Domzale. According to Bild, this could make Vivell United's secret weapon in negotiations.

"As someone he trusts, Sesko might prefer to join United having worked with Vivell in the past, even though he would likely be the main man at Newcastle."

Sesko slides in to give winless Leipzig surprise lead over Sporting

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Man Utd turn down bids for Maguire

Manchester United have turned down bids for Harry Maguire from "clubs in the Premier League and Italy", reports the Mail.

The Red Devils are said to be determined to hold on to the defender and could offer him a new contract that will keep him at the club until the end of his career.

The report states: "A number of interested parties at home and abroad have been told the likelihood is that the England defender is likely to extend his contract – and spend the rest of his career at Old Trafford.

"Whether that happens remains to be seen however, three top flight sides and two from Italy explored a move for Maguire this summer and were turned away.

"The 32-year-old sees his current, £190,000-a-week deal expire at the end of the forthcoming season. While his camp declined to comment, it is thought that he is keen to stay at United, whom he joined from Leicester City for £80m in 2019, a then-world record fee for a defender.

"No talks have yet taken place over extending Maguire’s contract, but the message to interested parties is believed to have been that United are keen to keep him."

'Finished off quite brilliantly' - Casemiro heads United in front after 'magnificent' Maguire skill

Video credit: TNT Sports

Villa open to sell Ramsey

Aston Villa are open to selling Jacob Ramsey, with West Ham interested in the midfielder.

The Mail believes Villa are prepared to listen to offers around £40m for Ramsey, but the 24-year-old is still weighing up his options.

"West Ham remain keen to sign Jacob Ramsey from Aston Villa with the midfielder currently keeping his options open over his long-term future," reads the article.

"Though Ramsey is well-regarded by Villa boss Unai Emery, his status as a homegrown player means an eventual transfer fee represents pure profit in the club accounts – crucial in the current era of Premier League spending rules.

"Villa have been willing to listen to offers for Ramsey since the transfer window opened and are thought to value him at about £40 million.

"Though they have yet to make a formal offer, it is thought The Hammers have identified Ramsey as an ideal player to strengthen their midfield, yet Mail Sport understands the 24-year-old has so far yet to be convinced by the idea of joining Villa's Premier League rivals."

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