Aston Villa are poised to enter the market for forward Nicolas Jackson should they manage to offload Ollie Watkins to Saudi Arabian side Al Hilal. According to sources at Sky Sports News, Chelsea have placed a valuation of roughly £65 million on Jackson, reflecting his rising reputation after a successful loan spell at Bayern Munich. Al Hilal have been actively courting Watkins, who has expressed a strong desire to experience football in Saudi Arabia.
The club have already tabled at least one offer that Villa turned down, reportedly in the region of £38.5 million. Despite Villa’s reluctance to part with their star striker, Al Hilal remain determined to secure the England international, who notched 16 Premier League goals in the previous campaign and played a pivotal role in Villa’s triumph in the Europa League.
Meanwhile, Atletico Madrid have also signaled interest in Jackson, though they appear to favour a loan arrangement rather than a permanent transfer. Chelsea, however, are insistent on a full sale, having watched Jackson develop during his season-long loan at Bayern. The relationship between Chelsea and Villa at senior levels is reportedly very strong; the two clubs have already completed significant deals this summer, including the record‑breaking transfer of Morgan Rogers and the move of Alejandro Garnacho to the Villans.
Jackson’s connection to Villa’s manager, Unai Emery, runs deep. Both men previously worked together at Villarreal, where Emery first recognised Jackson’s potential. This familiarity could make the proposed move smoother, should all parties reach an agreement.
In other Villa news, the club continues to monitor the transfer window closely. Sky Sports offers a live streaming service for Premier League matches, and fans are reminded that there are only ten days left to finalize deals before the window shuts. Emery addressed the situation in a pre‑match press conference ahead of Villa’s clash with Brighton.
He said, "We have an issue with him, it is clear. We received offers, but he remains our player. I do not wish to sell him unless it truly benefits the player, the club, and we can find a suitable replacement. He is a fantastic striker and we have always backed him." When pressed about Watkins’ desire to leave, Emery replied, "I don’t know, perhaps you have more information than us.
Football is evolving, and players are professionals. Watkins is still our player." Watkins, now 30, is being linked as a potential replacement for Karim Benzema at Al Hilal, which is also looking for a way to resolve the Frenchman’s contract and facilitate his departure. Al Hilal’s interest in Watkins stems from his impressive season, where he scored 16 league goals, helped Villa clinch the Europa League, and secured another campaign in the Champions League.
He has also earned a place in England’s squad for the 2026 World Cup. Goalkeeping news at Villa has also been busy. Emery confirmed that Emiliano Martinez is considering a new challenge and may look to move on. The club recently completed the signing of Japanese goalkeeper Zion Suzuki from Parma, after a potential Juventus move for Martinez fell through.
While Martinez remains with Villa for now, Emery hinted that his future is still open, stating, "We have two excellent keepers. We signed Suzuki not just for the future but for the present; he has shown he can perform at our level.
Martinez has expressed a desire for a new challenge, both last season and this year, and we respect that." The potential double‑sale of Watkins and the acquisition of Jackson could reshape Villa’s attacking options dramatically. If Watkins departs, the club would likely look to replace his goal output with a combination of Jackson’s versatility and perhaps additional signings to maintain depth. Jackson, known for his pace, technical ability, and eye for goal, could slot into multiple forward roles, offering Emery tactical flexibility. Financially, the sale of Watkins for a fee in the high‑30s million range would provide Villa with significant funds.
Even after accounting for a £65 million price tag for Jackson, the club could still net a healthy balance, allowing for reinvestment in other areas of the squad, such as midfield reinforcement or defensive depth. Moreover, maintaining a strong relationship with Chelsea could open doors for future loan deals or player swaps, further enhancing Villa’s strategic position. In summary, Aston Villa stand at a crossroads: they must decide whether to retain the prolific Watkins or capitalize on his market value to fund the acquisition of Nicolas Jackson and possibly other targets.
The next ten days will be crucial as the transfer window draws to a close, and the decisions made now will shape the club’s competitive outlook for the upcoming season.