Leeds United

Leeds United: Jermaine Beckford reveals that the club were close to signing Ollie Watkins

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Image for Leeds United: Jermaine Beckford reveals that the club were close to signing Ollie Watkins

Jermaine Beckford has been speaking on the latest edition of The Athletic’s The Phil Hay Show, and he has been talking about all things Leeds United.

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Who did Leeds sign from a La Liga side in September?

One of the topics that the former Whites striker talked about was Aston Villa, and he revealed that Leeds were close to signing Ollie Watkins in the last transfer window only for him to end up joining Villa instead.

It seems as if, according to Beckford, Watkins was close to moving to Elland Road, and the former Leeds striker did speak to the 24-year-old.

He said: “They’ve also got Ollie Watkins another player that we were linked heavily with.

“Somebody that I had spoken to over the summer and he was on the cusp of joining the club but for one reason or another his move broke down and fell through, which was a shame if I am honest with you because he’s not only a really good football player and a great goalscorer, but he’s a lovely person as well.”

Would you have liked Watkins at Elland Road?

Yes, could have been a good addition

Yes, could have been a good addition

No, I am happy with what we have

No, I am happy with what we have

TIF Thoughts on Beckford’s information on Ollie Watkins…

Leeds were linked with a move for the former Brentford striker after he scored 26 Championship goals last season for the Bees, but there was never any suggestion that a move was that close, but if Beckford is right, maybe Watkins was close to becoming a Leeds player?

Instead, he went to Aston Villa, where he has scored three Premier League goals and earned an average rating of 7.71 for his performances.

Perhaps Leeds deciding to sign Rodrigo was one of the reasons that the deal for Watkins fell through, though judging by the Spaniard’s league performances so far, it could be argued that they might have been better going for Watkins.

However, it is interesting to hear that the 24-year-old could have ended up at Elland Road rather than Villa Park.

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