Leeds ‘would take’ £28m star ‘in a heartbeat’ at Elland Road

Leeds United would take Aston Villa striker Ollie Watkins ‘in a heartbeat’ amid speculation over his future, according to CBS reporter Ben Jacobs.

Jesse Marsch is still believed to be search for some cover and competition for Patrick Bamford upfront ahead of September’s deadline, and the 26-year-old has emerged as a potential target.

Steven Gerrard’s shock decision to leave Watkins out of his starting lineup for Villa’s opening day defeat at the hands of newly-promoted Bournemouth sparked suggestions of unrest.

Football Insider reported after the disappointing result on the south coast that the Villans are ‘willing to sell’ the England international after two years at the club.

The report claimed that Gerrard has a ‘tense relationship’ with Watkins and that the pair do not see ‘eye to eye’, leading to the forward’s availability on the market.

However, Watkins was restored to the team from the off for Villa’s 2-1 victory over Everton the following week, and he played like someone with a point to prove, setting up both goals for Danny Ings and Emiliano Buendia.

It remains to be seen what the future holds for the former Brentford star, but he is unlikely to be short of potential suitors should he be shown the exit door.

Jacobs recently tweeted that Villa deny the reports of tension between Gerrard and Watkins and that the club don’t want to sell their star striker but also revealed that Crystal Palace and Leeds are ‘monitoring’ the situation.

And the reliable journalist has now informed GiveMeSport that the move ‘depends’ on whether Watkins is going to inform the club’s hierarchy that ‘he wants out’ or not.

In an interview with GMS, he said: “With Ollie Watkins, I think Leeds would take him in a heartbeat, and it all just