Leeds United may be interested in Ollie Watkins, but the Brentford attacker’s dream is to play for Arsenal.
The Sunday Mirror (print edition, page 67, August 2, 2020) has claimed that Leeds are looking to sign Watkins from Brentford in the summer transfer window (click here to read more).
It has been reported that the Whites are ready to make a move if the Bees lose the Championship playoff final against Fulham on Tuesday evening.
With head coach Marcelo Bielsa reportedly impressed with the 24-year-old’s running and versatility to play across the frontline, the Englishman would be a good signing for the Elland Road outfit, who will play in the Premier League next season after winning automatic promotion from the Championship.
However, Leeds should know that the dream of Watkins – who has scored 26 goals and provided three assists in 48 Championship matches for Brentford this season, according to WhoScored – is to play for Arsenal.
Watkins told SportsGazette in April 2020: “Yeah, the dream. That’s the dream to play for Arsenal one day. But you know, it’s a long shot.”
There have been no suggestions anywhere that Arsenal are interested in Watkins, and given the quality of players head coach Mikel Arteta has in his attack, it is unlikely that the North London outfit will make a move for him this summer, especially as he has not been playing top-flight football.
What will encourage Leeds fans are previous comments from Brentford manager Thomas Frank, comparing Watkins to Juventus forward Cristiano Ronaldo.
Frank told The Wandsworth Times in August 2019: “It’s a big comparison so I don’t want to go down that route but, in a way, I’ve mentioned it now.
“He’s like a Ronaldo-type, that he can play as a nine or he can play to the side, or he can play as a 10, but because he’s so versatile he has abilities you can benefit off in all positions.”
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