Ollie Watkins: Fenerbahçe president reveals failed Aston Villa bid

Fenerbahçe president Aziz Yıldırım revealed that the Turkish club pursued striker Ollie Watkins for approximately six weeks during the summer transfer window. Club officials traveled to England to negotiate with Aston Villa, Watkins, and his agent, but both the Premier League club and the player rejected the proposed permanent transfer.

According to Yıldırım, Aston Villa refused to sell to Fenerbahçe and Watkins declined to move to Türkiye. Watkins subsequently completed a permanent deadline-day transfer to Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal for a €60 million fee and a high salary.