Fenerbahce president reveals month-long Watkins talks before Al-Hilal swoop | OneFootball

Fenerbahce nearly signed Watkins last summer before a late Al-Hilal swoop, the club’s president has said.

According to Al-Yaum, he said Fenerbahce negotiated for a month and sent representatives to England. Aston Villa initially refused to sell and Watkins rejected a move to Türkiye, before he joined the Saudi league at the end of the window.

Money was not the issue, the president said, and the England striker wanted a sporting project. Watkins preferred Al-Hilal’s ambitious plan under Simone Inzaghi to a switch to the Turkish league.

Watkins joined the Saudi leaders from Aston Villa in a record deal last summer and has quickly become one of Inzaghi’s key players across domestic and continental competitions.

Fenerbahce’s chase ultimately fell short after prolonged talks.

Source: Goal.com

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