After playoff defeat for Exeter City, star player Ollie Watkins is surely on his way as Aston Villa and Leeds show interest.
Ollie Watkins of Exeter City (L) scores their second goal
Exeter City forward Ollie Watkins says he has not thought about whether he will be at the Devon club by the start of next season, but a transfer for the talented youngster now seems inevitable.
Watkins was left in tears as Exeter missed out on the chance of promotion on Saturday, losing the League Two playoff final to Blackpool 2-1.
Ollie Watkins of Exeter City in action with Harry Maguire of Hull City
It was a disappointing end to what has been a fantastic year for the 21-year-old, who scored 15 league goals (including two in the playoffs) and provided seven assists, attracting the interest of several Championship clubs in the process.
According to Get West London, QPR are the latest second tier side to join the chase, with Aston Villa, Bristol City and Leeds United already believed to be interested.
With the Bristol Post reporting that Watkins could fetch up to £4m in transfer fees, the Grecians will find it difficult to refuse to sell, while the attacker himself is likely to jump at the opportunity to test himself at a higher level.
Ollie Watkins of Exeter City (2nd R) celebrates scoring their second goal with team mates
Even if in the immediate aftermath to that Blackpool defeat, Watkins was not in the mood for talk of his future.
“At the end of the day, I haven’t really thought about it,” he told Devon Live. “We just lost a very important game and I’m gutted, really.
“I’ve never cried after a football game, Sunday was the first time, I’m gutted.”
Exeter City manager Paul Tisdale
However, with time to reflect and some of the biggest clubs in the Championship on his tail, Watkins may start thinking about his future away from St James Park pretty quickly.
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