Al Hilal are actively negotiating with Aston Villa in an effort to secure the services of striker Ollie Watkins, who has expressed a strong desire to join the Saudi Arabian side. According to Sky Sports News, the Saudi club has already had a €45 million (£38.5 million) proposal turned down by Villa, but talks are still underway as both parties search for a mutually acceptable arrangement. A key element of the discussion is Villa's need to find a suitable replacement for Watkins.
The club is unlikely to sanction his departure unless they have identified a forward who can fill the void left by his exit. This replacement requirement is expected to play a significant role in any final decision regarding the transfer.
Watkins, who is 30 years old, is being linked as a potential successor to Karim Benzema at Al Hilal. The Saudi giants are also working behind the scenes to untangle Benzema's contractual situation, aiming to free the French striker to move on. Benzema joined Al Hilal from Al Ittihad in February on an 18‑month contract, but his future has become uncertain despite a promising start – he found the net ten times in just 15 appearances during his first half‑season in Riyadh.
The interest in Watkins follows a prolific campaign in which he scored 16 league goals for Aston Villa, helping the English club capture the Europa League title and secure another season of Champions League football. His performances have also earned him a place in England's squad for the 2026 World Cup, underscoring his status as a top‑level international forward. Since arriving at Villa from Brentford in 2020, the 30‑year‑old has become one of the team’s most important attacking assets, amassing more than 100 goals across all competitions. His goal‑scoring record, combined with his experience on the European stage, makes him an attractive prospect for Al Hilal, who are looking to bolster their attack as they aim to dominate both domestically and in the AFC Champions League.
Meanwhile, Villa are not standing still. The club has long shown interest in Chelsea forward Nicolas Jackson, a pursuit that remains active with only two weeks left in the transfer window. In addition, Villa have already confirmed the acquisitions of two young talents: Matteo Ruggeri and Zion Suzuki. Ruggeri, a 24‑year‑old former Italy U21 left‑back, arrives from Atletico Madrid for a fee of £21.4 million after making 47 appearances for the Spanish side in the 2025/26 season.
Suzuki, a 23‑year‑old Japanese international goalkeeper, joins from Parma for £29.9 million after two seasons in Italy, adding depth to Villa’s defensive options. Sky Sports analyst Pat Rowe offered his perspective on the pre‑season atmosphere at Villa Park. He noted that the gloom that had settled over the club after the departures of Morgan Rogers and Youri Tielemans was briefly lifted by a spirited performance against Paris Saint‑Germain in the UEFA Super Cup final.
New signings Joao Gomes and 17‑year‑old Brian Madjo impressed during the match, despite the eventual loss. However, the optimism was tempered by a fresh set of injury concerns. Reports surfaced that both Gomes and Madjo had picked up knocks ahead of the season opener against Brighton, meaning they will join Amadou Onana and recent arrival Johan Manzambi on the injury list. This spate of setbacks adds another layer of complexity to Unai Emery’s task of assembling a competitive lineup.
The summer has been a period of significant change for Villa. Managing the exit of key players, coping with injuries, and dealing with the absence of pre‑season preparation for regulars such as Ezri Konsa and Ollie Watkins—who have both been linked with moves away—creates a challenging environment.
Their extended breaks due to the World Cup have meant they missed crucial training time, potentially affecting squad cohesion and performance when the Premier League season kicks off at the Amex Stadium. In summary, the situation surrounding Ollie Watkins is a multi‑faceted one. Al Hilal are keen to add the English striker to their roster, seeing him as a possible replacement for the aging Benzema, while Aston Villa must balance their financial ambitions with the sporting need to replace a prolific goal scorer. The negotiations are still ongoing, and the final outcome will depend on how both clubs navigate the financial, contractual, and squad‑building challenges that lie ahead.
(Additional context: Al Hilal, backed by substantial Saudi investment, have been on a mission to attract world‑class talent to raise the profile of the Saudi Pro League. Their recent signings, including Benzema and other high‑profile players, reflect a broader strategy to compete on the continental stage and increase the league’s global appeal.
For Villa, the potential departure of Watkins could provide a significant transfer fee that might be reinvested in emerging talents like Ruggeri and Suzuki, as well as in the pursuit of other established forwards such as Nicolas Jackson. The coming weeks will be decisive for both clubs as they finalize their plans for the upcoming season.)