The Dons tried to sign Watson from Kilmarnock last summer but Scotland Under 21 star’s contract is up at the end of this season
17:59, 17 Nov 2025
David Watson in action against Aberdeen’s Jesper Karlsson and Graeme Shinnie
Aberdeen are keeping close tabs on Kilmarnock ’s David Watson.
Record Sport understands the Dons are long-term admirers of the Scotland under-21 captain.
Watson is out-of-contract in the summer and could open pre-contract talks in January.
If Aberdeen could agree a deal with Watson then they would have to thrash out a fee with Kilmarnock or go to a tribunal.
If it went to a tribunal then it is likely the fee would be around the £639,920 fee that Rangers was ordered to pay Aberdeen for Connor Barron last season.
The Scottish Cup winners enquired about Watson in the summer window but couldn’t agree a deal with Killie, who were looking for a seven figure fee at that time.
Aberdeen’s interest is long-running and has been on-going for several windows before that.
They know that Killie are looking to extend Watson’s deal and several clubs from both sides of the border will also be interested.
David Watson during a Kilmarnock training session
Celtic have already been linked, Bolton Wanderers have previously expressed an interest and Hearts could come in, where former boss Derek McInnes is in charge.
Watson has come right through the ranks at Rugby Park.
He is seen as one of the best young players in Scotland.
Aberdeen have previously been criticised for not signing enough Scottish players, before they signed Kevin Nisbet, Stuart Armstrong and Mitchel Frame at the close of the window.
They also tried to get Lyall Cameron but he went to Rangers.
Aberdeen were also in for other Scottish players but refused to get involved in bidding wars when the wages spiralled out of control.
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