(Credit: Imago)

Jacob Raw

Tue 21 April 2026 17:40, UK

Leeds United look set to miss out on signing Fulham’s Harry Wilson on a free transfer, and the blame needs to go to the 49ers.

The Whites were heavily linked with the Welshman ahead of the summer window, with his deal at Craven Cottage expiring at the end of June.

Wilson is set to depart Fulham upon the expiry of his contract, but it seems like Aston Villa is now the destination of where the right-winger is headed.

According to Wales Online, this Tuesday, the 29-year-old is “expected” to join Villa on a free transfer ahead of other Premier League clubs.

Leeds have dropped the ball with Wilson, and the 49ers have clearly been too lazy in their attempts to sign the deadly forward on what would have been an absolute steal.

Harry Wilson set for £100,000 per week wages with Aston Villa

Leeds were delighted to hear that Wilson wanted to leave Fulham at the end of his deal, as he’s been one of the best performers outside the players at one of the “big six” clubs.

However, the forward is now “ready” to join Unai Emery at Villa Park, and the Whites look pretty helpless in doing anything about it.

It’s said that Wilson will wait until the end of the season before making his decision public, but Villa looks to be his choice, especially if the Villans qualify for European football once more.

Emery’s side are willing to double the attacker’s wages, and are preparing a £100,000 per week contract to beat competition from the likes of Everton and Leeds.

Though his wages would be high, the 49ers had more than enough reasons to go all out for his signature, considering he could have come to LS11 for free.

Now, the Whites have to watch on, with Wilson set to join one of their Premier League competitors for a great deal.

Who could Leeds sign instead of Wilson?

Leeds missing out on Wilson would be a hammer blow, mainly because it always seemed like a transfer that was possible.

Not only that, but his qualities are there to see, and the Whites didn’t need to worry about spending money on a player who has just reached his peak, because it would have been for the price of nothing, bar wages.

Instead, Leeds may have to look at whether they can sign Harvey Elliott, who could in turn be headed for Elland Road after a failed move to Aston Villa this season.

Villa have a reported £40million buy clause for the attacker, but Emery has already stated that they will not activate it, with the player set to return to Liverpool this summer.

Elliott could still be available for a cut-price deal, but it’s nothing in comparison to what the 49ers could have had with Wilson.