Aston Villa are poised to act for forward Nicolas Jackson should they agree to let Ollie Watkins join Saudi Arabian side Al Hilal. According to sources at Sky Sports News, Chelsea have placed a £65 million price tag on Jackson, reflecting the high regard in which the London club hold the English striker.
Al Hilal have been in active negotiations for Watkins, who has expressed a strong desire to experience football in Saudi Arabia. The Saudi club have already submitted at least one bid that was turned down – the initial offer hovered around £38.5 million. While Villa are reluctant to part with Watkins, Al Hilal are pressing hard for the England international, who notched 16 league goals in the previous campaign and played a pivotal role in Villa’s Europa League triumph. Beyond the Saudi interest, Atletico Madrid have also signalled a desire to acquire Jackson, albeit preferring a loan arrangement rather than a permanent transfer.
Chelsea, however, are insistent on a full sale after Jackson spent the last season on loan at Bayern Munich, where he impressed with his versatility and work rate. The relationship between Chelsea and Villa remains strong at senior levels. The two Premier League outfits have already completed significant business this summer, most notably the record‑breaking transfer involving Morgan Rogers and the move of Alejandro Garnacho to the claret and blue side. This rapport could smooth any potential negotiations over Jackson’s future.
Jackson’s connection with Villa’s manager, Unai Emery, runs deep. Both men previously worked together at Villarreal, forging a professional bond that could influence the striker’s decision.
Emery has publicly praised Jackson, describing him as a “fantastic striker” and emphasizing his commitment to the club. In a pre‑match press conference ahead of Villa’s clash with Brighton, Emery addressed the ongoing speculation surrounding Watkins.
He said, “We have an issue with him, it is clear. We had offers for him but he is our player. I don’t want to sell him but it can change if it is a good option for him, the club and I can replace him in the squad.” He added that the transfer window has only ten days left, implying that any decision would need to be swift. When questioned about whether Watkins had formally requested a move, Emery replied, “I don’t know, maybe you have more information than us!
Football is changing. The players are professional and Watkins is our player.” This ambiguous stance leaves room for speculation about the striker’s intentions.
Watkins, now 30, is being linked as a potential replacement for Karim Benzema at Al Hilal, with the Saudi side also exploring ways to untangle Benzema’s contractual situation to facilitate his departure. Watkins’ impressive season – 16 league goals and a key role in securing both the Europa League trophy and Champions League qualification for Villa – has made him a coveted target. He has also earned a place in England’s provisional squad for the 2026 World Cup.
Goalkeeping news at Villa has also been lively. Emery confirmed that Emiliano Martínez is contemplating a new challenge and may seek a move away from the club. Villa have already secured Japanese goalkeeper Zion Suzuki from Parma as a short‑term solution, after a potential transfer to Juventus fell through for Martínez.
Despite the uncertainty, Emery emphasized that Villa now possess two high‑quality keepers, stating, “We have two excellent keepers. We have signed Suzuki not for the future, but for now.
He has shown his capacity and that he can play at our level.” Emery further explained Martínez’s mindset, noting that the Argentine has expressed a desire for a fresh challenge both last season and this year. While Martínez has remained professional and performed admirably, the club is preparing for all eventualities. In summary, the upcoming weeks could see a significant reshuffle at Villa.
If the club decides to cash in on Watkins, they are likely to turn their attention to Nicolas Jackson, whose £65 million valuation by Chelsea makes him a high‑profile target. The dynamics between Villa, Chelsea, Al Hilal, and Atletico Madrid will shape the final outcome, while the manager’s personal ties to Jackson and his strategic plans for the squad add further layers to the story. With the transfer deadline looming, fans can expect rapid developments and potentially headline‑making moves that could redefine Villa’s attacking options for the next season.