Al Hilal are actively negotiating with Premier League side Aston Villa in an effort to secure the services of forward Ollie Watkins, who has publicly indicated his enthusiasm for a move to the Saudi club. According to sources at Sky Sports News, the Saudi Arabian giants have already had a bid of roughly €45 million (about £38.5 million) turned down by Villa, but discussions remain alive as both parties continue to search for a mutually acceptable arrangement. One of the key variables in the equation is Villa's need to replace Watkins should the transfer go ahead. The club’s hierarchy is reportedly weighing the financial gain from a potential sale against the sporting impact of losing one of their most prolific attackers.
Consequently, the decision to grant Watkins permission to leave will likely hinge on whether Villa can line up a suitable replacement in time for the new season. Watkins, who is 30 years old, has been linked with Al Hilal as a prospective successor to French striker Karim Benzema.
The Saudi side is simultaneously trying to untangle Benzema’s contractual situation in order to free the Frenchman for a possible departure. Benzema arrived at Al Hilal from fellow Saudi club Al Ittihad in February on an 18‑month contract, but his future has become uncertain despite a respectable return of ten goals in fifteen appearances during his first half‑season in Riyadh. The interest in Watkins follows a highly successful campaign in England, where he netted 16 league goals for Aston Villa and played a pivotal role in the club’s Europa League triumph, which also secured another season of Champions League football.
His performances earned him a place in England’s squad for the 2026 World Cup, further raising his profile on the international stage. Since arriving from Brentford in 2020, the 30‑year‑old has cemented his status as one of Villa’s principal attacking outlets, amassing more than 100 goals across all competitions for the club.
His goal‑scoring record, combined with his experience in European competition, makes him an attractive target for Al Hilal, who are eager to bolster their attacking options as they chase domestic and continental silverware. While the Watkins saga unfolds, Villa have also been active in the transfer market. The club maintains a long‑term interest in Chelsea forward Nicolas Jackson, a pursuit that remains on the table with only two weeks left in the summer window.
In addition, Villa have confirmed the signings of two promising youngsters: Matteo Ruggeri, a 24‑year‑old former Italy U21 left‑back who joins from Atletico Madrid for a reported £21.4 million after making 47 appearances for the Spanish side in the 2025/26 season, and Japan international goalkeeper Zion Suzuki, 23, who arrives from Parma for around £29.9 million after two seasons in Italy. Sky Sports analyst Pat Rowe offered his perspective on the broader context of Villa’s pre‑season.
He noted that the gloom surrounding 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 arrivals Joao Gomes and 17‑year‑old Brian Madjo impressed during the friendly, even though Villa ultimately fell short against the French giants. However, Rowe warned that manager Unai Emery faces another setback: reports of injuries to both Gomes and Madjo as the team prepares for the opening league fixture against Brighton.
These injuries will add to the list of absentees that already includes midfielders Amadou Onana and recent signing Johan Manzambi, further testing the depth of the squad. The summer has been a period of considerable transition at Villa Park. Managing the exit of key players while coping with injury concerns and the lack of a full pre‑season for veterans such as Ezri Konsa and Ollie Watkins—both of whom have been linked with moves away and have missed training due to extended World Cup breaks—creates a complex puzzle for Emery. The combination of these factors could lead to unexpected line‑up changes and performance fluctuations when the team takes the field at the Amex Stadium.
In summary, the potential transfer of Ollie Watkins to Al Hilal remains in a state of flux. Al Hilal have already seen a substantial offer rejected, but negotiations continue as they seek a solution that satisfies both the Saudi club’s ambitions and Aston Villa’s need for a suitable replacement. Meanwhile, Villa are reinforcing other areas of the squad with the acquisitions of Ruggeri and Suzuki, while still eyeing additional targets like Nicolas Jackson.
The coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether Watkins will embark on a new chapter in Saudi Arabia or remain a central figure in Villa’s attacking lineup for the upcoming season.