Aston Villa are poised to act for Nicolas Jackson if they manage to offload Ollie Watkins to Saudi Arabian side Al Hilal. Sky Sports News reports that Chelsea value Jackson at around £65 million. Al Hilal are still negotiating for Watkins, who has expressed a desire to move to the Kingdom, and have already seen at least one offer for the England striker turned down.
Their initial bid was roughly £38.5 million. While Villa would rather keep Watkins, Al Hilal are pressing hard for the forward, who netted 16 league goals last season and was instrumental in Villa's Europa League triumph. Atletico Madrid have also shown interest in Jackson, but they would prefer a loan arrangement.
Chelsea, on the other hand, are looking for a permanent deal after Jackson spent the previous season on loan at Bayern Munich. Relations between Chelsea and Villa remain strong at senior levels.
The two Premier League clubs have already completed transactions this summer, most notably the record-breaking transfer of Morgan Rogers and the move of Alejandro Garnacho to the claret and blue side. Jackson previously worked with Villa manager Unai Emery during their time together at Villarreal, adding a personal connection to the potential deal.
Latest Villa updates If you have Sky, you can stream Premier League matches live on your mobile device. If not, Sky Sports offers various deals and contract‑free streaming options for fans. Transfer Centre LIVE! "We have an issue with him, it is clear," Emery said in his pre‑match press conference before the game against Brighton on Sunday, broadcast on Sky Sports.
"We received offers for him but he is our player. I don't want to sell him, although the situation could change if it benefits him, the club, and we can find a suitable replacement. "He is here and is a fantastic striker. We have always believed in him and supported him; he has delivered.
There are ten days left in the transfer window, so we will see what happens. He remains our player and I am happy with his contributions." When asked whether Watkins had asked to leave, Emery replied, "I don't know, perhaps you have more information than us! Football is evolving.
The players are professionals and Watkins is our player." Watkins, 30, is being linked as a possible successor to Karim Benzema, with Al Hilal also seeking a solution to the Frenchman's contract situation to facilitate his departure. Al Hilal's pursuit of Watkins follows a season in which he scored 16 league goals for Villa, helping the club clinch the Europa League and secure another campaign in the Champions League.
He has also been named in England's squad for the 2026 World Cup. Emery also disclosed that goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez is considering a new challenge in his career. Villa have completed the signing of Japanese goalkeeper Zion Suzuki from Parma this summer after a proposed move to Juventus for Martínez fell through.
The Argentine keeper remains at Villa, but Emery said, "We will see" when questioned about his future. "We have two excellent keepers," Emery explained. "We signed Suzuki not just for the future but for the present.
He has shown he can perform at our level. "Martínez communicated to us his desire for a new challenge, not only now but also last year.
He considered a change, stayed, and performed brilliantly. This year, he again expressed the wish for a fresh challenge, which is why we brought in Suzuki as cover.
The reality is we now have two top‑class goalkeepers, and we will see how the situation develops." In summary, Villa appear ready to balance their squad ambitions: retaining a prolific striker in Jackson while potentially cashing in on Watkins, and managing a goalkeeper transition that keeps both quality and depth intact. The next ten days will be crucial as clubs across Europe and the Middle East vie for these key players, and Villa's strategic decisions could shape their competitiveness in both domestic and European competitions for the upcoming season.