Al Hilal are currently engaged in discussions with Premier League side Aston Villa about a potential transfer for striker Ollie Watkins, who has expressed a strong desire to make the move to Saudi Arabia. According to sources at Sky Sports News, the Saudi outfit have already had a €45 million (£38.5 million) bid turned down by Villa, but both clubs remain at the negotiating table, hoping to find a mutually acceptable arrangement. The situation is complicated by Villa’s need to replace Watkins should he depart.
The club’s management has indicated that any decision to let the forward go will be heavily influenced by the availability and suitability of a replacement player. This adds an extra layer of strategic planning to the talks, as Villa must balance financial gain with maintaining squad depth for the upcoming season. At 30 years old, Watkins is being touted as a possible successor to French star Karim Benzema at Al Hilal. The Saudi club are also reportedly working on a solution to Benzema’s contract dilemma, which could pave the way for his exit.
Benzema arrived at Al Hilal from Al Ittihad in February on an 18‑month contract, but his future remains uncertain despite a promising start in which he netted ten goals in fifteen appearances during the first half of the season in Riyadh. Watkins’ interest from Al Hilal follows an impressive campaign in England, where he tallied sixteen league goals for Aston Villa, playing a pivotal role in the club’s Europa League triumph and securing a place in the Champions League for another season. His performances have also earned him a spot in England’s squad for the 2026 World Cup, underscoring his standing as a top‑class forward. The striker has become a cornerstone of Villa’s attacking line since his arrival from Brentford in 2020.
Over the three‑plus years with the club, Watkins has surpassed the hundred‑goal mark, cementing his reputation as one of the team’s most reliable goal‑scorers. His consistent output has attracted interest from several clubs, but the allure of a new challenge and a lucrative contract in Saudi Arabia appears to have tipped the scales in favour of a potential move to Al Hilal.
Meanwhile, Villa’s transfer strategy remains active. The club continues to pursue Chelsea forward Nicolas Jackson, a target that remains on their radar with only two weeks left in the summer window.
In addition, Villa have already announced the acquisitions of Matteo Ruggeri and Zion Suzuki. Ruggeri, a 24‑year‑old former Italy U21 left‑back, joins from Atletico Madrid for a reported £21.4 million after making 47 appearances across all competitions in the 2025/26 season.
Suzuki, a 23‑year‑old Japanese goalkeeper, arrives from Parma for £29.9 million after two years of experience in Italian football. Sky Sports analyst Pat Rowe offered his perspective on Villa’s pre‑season narrative. He noted that the gloom surrounding the departures of Morgan Rogers and Youri Tielemans was briefly lifted by the team’s 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 pre‑season and again shone against PSG, despite the eventual loss. However, Unai Emery’s preparations have been further hampered by injury reports involving both Gomes and Madjo as the squad approaches its opening league fixture against Brighton.
These two players will now join Amadou Onana and recent signing Johan Manzambi on the injury list, creating additional challenges for the manager. The summer has been a period of significant transition at Villa Park.
Navigating the departure of key players, managing injury concerns, and coping with the lack of a full pre‑season for both Ezri Konsa and Ollie Watkins—who have been linked with moves away—are all factors that could lead to unexpected line‑up changes and performance fluctuations at the Amex Stadium. The extended World Cup break for these internationals has further limited their preparation time, potentially affecting the team’s early‑season rhythm.
In summary, the potential transfer of Ollie Watkins to Al Hilal is a multi‑faceted negotiation involving financial offers, replacement planning, and broader strategic considerations for both clubs. While Villa seeks to secure a suitable successor and possibly retain a competitive edge, Al Hilal aims to bolster its attacking options and resolve the situation with Karim Benzema. As the summer window draws to a close, fans of both teams will be watching closely to see how these high‑profile moves unfold.
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