Aston Villa are poised to enter the market for Nicolas Jackson should they agree to let Ollie Watkins join Saudi giants Al Hilal. According to sources at Sky Sports News, Chelsea have placed a £65 million valuation on the 23‑year‑old forward. Al Hilal are actively negotiating for Watkins, who has expressed a strong desire to move to the Kingdom, and have already seen at least one of their offers turned down.
Their opening bid was reported to be around £38.5 million. While Villa would rather keep Watkins, the Saudi side are keen to secure the England international after his impressive haul of 16 Premier League goals last season, a contribution that helped Villa clinch the Europa League title and secure another Champions League campaign. The club’s hierarchy faces a dilemma: retain a proven striker or cash in and potentially replace him with a high‑profile acquisition. Jackson, meanwhile, has attracted interest from several European powerhouses.
Atletico Madrid have signalled a willingness to bring him in on loan, whereas Chelsea, his parent club, are insistent on a permanent deal after he spent the previous season on loan at Bayern Munich. The relationship between Chelsea and Villa is reportedly very cordial, having already completed notable transactions this summer, including the record‑breaking transfer of Morgan Rogers and the move of Alejandro Garnacho to the Blues. Jackson’s connection to Villa goes beyond the transfer market. He previously worked under current Villa manager Unai Emery at Villarreal, giving the two a shared history that could smooth any future negotiations.
The manager’s comments in a pre‑match press conference before the clash with Brighton highlighted the club’s stance: "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 is here and is a fantastic striker. We have always believed and supported him, he did it." Emery also addressed rumors about Watkins’ desire to leave, stating, "I don’t know, maybe you have more information than us! Football is changing. The players are professional and Watkins is our player." He added that there are still ten days left in the transfer window, suggesting that any decision will be made with careful consideration of the club’s long‑term plans.
Watkins, now 30, is being linked as a potential successor to Karim Benzema at Al Hilal, with the Saudi club reportedly working on a solution to Benzema’s contractual situation to free up a marquee spot. Watkins’ 16‑goal league campaign and his role in Villa’s Europa League triumph have made him a coveted target, and his inclusion in England’s provisional squad for the 2026 World Cup further raises his profile. Goalkeeping rumors have also surfaced.
Emery confirmed that Emiliano Martínez is contemplating a new challenge elsewhere, after previously hinting at a possible departure. Villa have already acted by signing Japanese keeper Zion Suzuki from Parma, a move that was intended to provide immediate depth rather than a long‑term project.
The Argentine keeper’s future remains uncertain, with Emery noting, "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." Emirates’ statements suggest that while Villa are not actively seeking to offload Watkins, they are prepared to explore options that benefit the player, the club, and the manager’s tactical setup. The club’s recent transfer activity, including the acquisition of Suzuki and the failed Juventus move for Martínez, indicates a willingness to adapt its squad composition.
In summary, Aston Villa appear to be at a crossroads. If they decide to sell Ollie Watkins to Al Hilal, the £65 million valuation placed on Nicolas Jackson by Chelsea could make him the logical replacement, especially given his proven Premier League pedigree and prior working relationship with Emery. However, the club’s leadership must balance financial incentives with on‑field performance, ensuring that any departure does not compromise their ambitions in both domestic and European competitions.
The next ten days will be crucial in determining whether Villa will retain Watkins and pursue other targets, or capitalize on the Saudi offer and pivot towards securing Jackson as the next marquee striker.