Brentford’s 2017 acquisition of Ollie Watkins from Exeter City proved to be a fruitful move for all involved, with Derby County left regretting their missed opportunity to sign the talented striker seven years ago.

Despite Derby’s failed bid for the then-21-year-old Watkins, the deal fell through, leading him to join Brentford instead. Watkins revealed after a clash between Derby and Brentford in 2019 that he was close to joining the Rams, stating, “Steve McClaren wanted to sign me, and I wanted to go there at the time. Then it kind of fell through – so it could have been a lot different!”

Although Derby’s interest was strong, Exeter ultimately chose Brentford as Watkins’ next destination. Watkins flourished under Dean Smith at Griffin Park, scoring 49 goals in 143 appearances over three seasons while Derby opted for David Nugent, who didn’t replicate Watkins’ success.

Former Exeter manager Paul Tisdale disclosed that they turned down a more lucrative offer from Derby in favor of Brentford, believing that the style of play and analytics at Brentford would better suit Watkins, making the decision more valuable in the long run.

Watkins eventually moved to Aston Villa for an initial fee of £28 million, which rose to £33 million with add-ons. Since joining Villa, Watkins has shone brightly, consistently hitting double figures in goals each season in the Premier League, establishing himself as a standout performer.

His exceptional displays in the previous season propelled his team to the Champions League, as he netted 19 goals and provided 13 assists.

Gareth Southgate acknowledged his efforts by including him in the England squad for Euro 2024. He marked the tournament with a dramatic last-minute goal against the Netherlands, securing the Three Lions’ spot in the final. Despite his impressive journey post-Exeter, there remains a tinge of remorse among Derby supporters, wistful that the 28-year-old never wore the Ram crest.