MOT View: Release clause signed in August ’19 could be key to Leeds signing prolific striker
Ollie Watkins was the second-highest scorer in the Championship this season – just one behind Aleksandar Mitrovic – and we think he’d make a brilliant summer signing for Leeds United.
Leeds have been linked with a move for Watkins and we’d be delighted if he was the man to hook up with Patrick Bamford in the Premier League.
Some media outlets have put crazy valuations on his head. The latest was The Express, who claimed on Sunday that Leeds were “eyeing a £30m transfer raid” for Watkins.
However, what’s flown under the radar is the fact that Watkins signed a new contract in August last year that included a release clause – thought to be £18m.
The Atheltic’s David Ornstein reported this back in July.
He said: “Watkins’ previous deal is understood to have included a window where he could be bought by prospective suitors for as little as £10 million but, while the club’s co-director of football Phil Giles confirmed there had been ‘some interest’ in the player’s services ahead of this season, no suitors took the plunge.
“He duly signed a new four-year contract, with the option of a further year, last August. Yet my colleague Dominic Fifield reports that the new deal is also understood to include a buy-out option for interested parties, with some suggestions the clause could be triggered for as little as £18 million.”
One thing that almost everyone has reported on is the fact that it will be very hard to sign Watkins if Brentford are promoted.
They’re in a one-game shootout at Wembley on Tuesday night against Fulham but if Brentford lose then we think Watkins will fancy a move up to the Premier League regardless.
£18m is right in Leeds’ ballpark and while the price could be driven up if other clubs come in for him, it sets a starting point and a ceiling for his services.
Clubs aren’t going to go much above that price for a player who’s never played above the Championship and only had one standout season there.
The season before, Watkins scored 10 goals in 41 games and that’s why clubs weren’t in for him at £10m.
This release clause could be key – we’re convinced that Watkins can push on under Bielsa and if Brentford lose on Tuesday, we think it’s time for Leeds to make their move.
In other Leeds United news, ‘Sign him up’, ‘Our new striker’: These fans react as Leeds-linked hitman has spectacular Sunday