Leeds United Eye Cut-Price Bid for Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins Amid Contract Loophole
Leeds United are reportedly preparing a bold move to sign Aston Villa star Ollie Watkins, capitalizing on a bizarre contractual loophole that could see the England international leave for a fraction of his market value. The 29-year-old striker, who has been a cornerstone of Villa’s recent success, is said to be unsettled at Villa Park, fueling speculation about a potential transfer.
Watkins, contracted until June 2028, has scored 86 goals in 218 appearances for Villa since his £28 million move from Brentford in 2020. This season, he’s notched 16 goals and 13 assists in 48 games across all competitions. However, his frustration at being benched for key matches, including both legs of Villa’s Champions League quarter-final against PSG, has sparked rumors of a fallout with manager Unai Emery. Watkins publicly admitted to being “fuming” over his reduced role, with loanee Marcus Rashford often preferred up top.
The loophole in Watkins’ contract, uncovered by Leeds’ recruitment team, reportedly involves a little-known clause tied to performance-based bonuses and appearances. Sources suggest this clause could allow Villa to accept a bid as low as £30-40 million—well below the £60 million Villa demanded when rejecting Arsenal’s offer in January. Leeds, keen to bolster their attack as they push for promotion, see this as a golden opportunity to secure a proven Premier League striker at a bargain price.
Manager Daniel Farke views Watkins as the perfect fit to lead Leeds’ frontline, bringing experience, work rate, and clinical finishing. The club’s hierarchy believes a return to Yorkshire could appeal to Watkins, who could become a fan favorite at Elland Road. However, competition is fierce, with Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea, and Manchester United also linked to the forward. A potential swap deal involving Rashford and Watkins has been mooted with United, adding further complexity.
Aston Villa, wary of breaching financial regulations, may be forced to consider offers, especially with Watkins turning 30 in October. Leeds’ audacious bid hinges on exploiting this contractual quirk, but they’ll need to act swiftly to outmaneuver bigger clubs. If successful, this could be a transformative signing for Leeds’ ambitions, marking a stunning coup in the transfer market.
