A look at what paying £4 million for Ollie Watkins would mean for Leeds.
Ollie Watkins of Exeter City (L) scores their second goal
The Sun report Exeter City are planning to demand £4 million for the signature of star striker Ollie Watkins.
The report (21/5 p61) claims Leeds United are continuing to track the forward, who has netted 16 goals in all competitions this season.
In modern day football £4 million does not seem like a lot of money, but for Leeds United in recent history it would be a big figure.
Leeds bought Seth Johnson (R) from Derby County
£4 million would represent the biggest transfer fee Leeds have paid since purchasing Seth Johnson from Derby County in 2001 for £7 million.
At the time Leeds were a Premier League force, and while Johnson would go onto become a complete flop, he was a signing they could afford at the time.
The Whites tightened their budget soon after, and were relegated in 2004.
Leeds’ Kemar Roofe shoots at goal
The highest fee they have paid since is the £3 million each they have paid in 2015 and 2016 for Chris Wood and Kemar Roofe.
This would require going one better, and with interest in Watkins from Norwich, Aston Villa and Derby County, Leeds will likely have to meet Exeter’s demands in order to get their man.
It would put Watkins under a lot of pressure, and Roofe struggled to live up to expectations last season.
Watkins should be judged in his own right, and fans hope new owner Andrea Radrizzani will flash the cash, albeit sensibly this summer.
Spending big on Watkins would be welcomed as a statement of intent, providing it does not coincide with the club selling star man Chris Wood.
If Leeds are to build on their successful season and challenge for promotion more closely, then it is surely essential they spend big to do so, whether or not it is on Watkins.
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