'One to watch...' - Leeds eyeing 'top, top' striker likened to Fernando Torres, says journalist

Leeds United are keeping tabs on Ollie Watkins’ situation at Aston Villa, according to Ben Jacobs of CBS Sports.

Football Insider reported last week that Villa would listen to offers for Watkins in the remaining weeks of the transfer window.

They claimed that, as a per a well-placed source, he does not ‘see eye to eye’ with manager Steven Gerrard.

Watkins was a substitute on the opening day of the season against Bournemouth, but started and set up two goals in a 2-1 win over Everton at the weekend.

In a Twitter thread, Jacobs runs through some possible striker targets for Leeds in what is expected to be ‘a busy week in the transfer market’.

He identifies Che Adams, Martin Terrier and Brandon Vazquez as options and then says ‘a final name to mention is Ollie Watkins’.

‘Villa sources’ have dismissed the the idea that there’s ‘tension’ between the forward and Gerrard and ‘maintain they don’t want to sell’.

‘Leeds [are] monitoring’ developments, along with Crystal Palace.

‘Key will be whether Watkins pushes for an exit’, he explains.

While Villa remain ‘calm about [the] situation’, this is ‘no doubt one to watch’.

It sounds like Leeds need Watkins to submit a transfer request. Is that a possibility?

Well, transfer insider Dean Jones told GiveMeSport on Friday that the Englishman could go somewhere ‘he’s actually wanted’ if ‘he’s getting negative vibes from inside his own club’.

Watkins would be quite a coup for the Whites given that Villa actually finished three places and seven points above them last season.

The former Brentford man, who’s scored 25 Premier League goals and provided nine assists, has won seven caps for England.

Villa manager Gerrard reckons he’s similar in profile to former team-mate Fernando Torres. Not to