Exeter City’s thrilling frontman Ollie Watkins could move to the Championship – but do Bristol City have an advantage over Leeds United?
With a lack of creative spark late in the season costing Leeds United a place in the Championship play-off positions, you’d imagine the club would do everything in its power to prevent a rival from stealing a march in the race for one of the Football League’s most exciting prospects.
Yet, according to the Bristol Post, there is further competition for the signature of Exeter City starlet Ollie Watkins. The newspaper reports that Bristol City boss Lee Johnson was in attendance as The Grecians lost 3-2 at home to Carlisle United in the final day of the League Two season, with Watkins the reason for his visit.
With The Robins losing 26-goal loanee Tammy Abraham, the 19-year-old returning to Chelsea upon the end of the season, Johnson will know he must add firepower to his squad ahead of what is expected to be another tough season at Ashton Gate.
And the fact that Watkins has netted a career-best 13 league goals for Exeter makes him a potentially thrilling signing. The 21-year-old has played most of the season on the wing, but his pace in behind defences means he certainly has the ability to adapt to a more natural centre-forward role.
This should also go some way towards explaining why Leeds United are also monitoring his progress, as reported by The Sun.
Without Chris Wood’s league-leading 27 Championship goals, Leeds would surely not have finished anywhere near the top six. The club’s next highest goalscorers, Pablo Hernandez, Souleymane Doukara and centre-back Kyle Bartley, grabbed just six apiece.
Furthermore, with loanees Hadi Sacko, Mo Barrow and Alfonso Pedraza seemingly likely to depart Elland Road, Watkins could offer much-needed options in wide areas next season.
However, with Bristol City reportedly ramping up their interest, Leeds cannot afford to wait around.
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