Al Hilal are actively negotiating with Aston Villa in an effort to secure the services of 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 club has already put forward a bid worth €45 million (approximately £38.5 million), which Villa turned down, but talks have not ceased. Both parties remain engaged, looking for a mutually acceptable arrangement that satisfies the financial expectations of the English club while meeting the player’s personal ambitions. A crucial element of the discussion is Villa’s need to replace Watkins should he depart.
The club’s willingness to let the forward go will likely hinge on whether they can line up a suitable successor, either through a permanent signing or a loan deal, that can fill the void left by a player who has become one of their most reliable goal‑scorers over the past few seasons. At 30 years of age, Watkins is being positioned by Al Hilal as a potential successor to French legend Karim Benzema. The Saudi giants are simultaneously working on untangling Benzema’s contractual situation, aiming to free the French striker from his current obligations so that he can move on. Benzema joined Al Hilal from Al Ittihad in February on an 18‑month contract, but his future has become uncertain despite an impressive start: he netted ten goals in fifteen appearances during the first half‑season in Riyadh.
The club’s ambition to replace him with a proven Premier League forward underscores their intent to maintain a high‑scoring attacking line‑up. Watkins’ recent form makes him an attractive target. In the most recent league campaign he struck 16 goals for Aston Villa, playing a pivotal role in the club’s triumph in the Europa League and securing a second consecutive season of Champions League football.
His performances have also earned him a place in England’s squad for the 2026 World Cup, further raising his profile on the international stage. The striker’s journey to Villa began in 2020 when he transferred from Brentford.
Since then, he has amassed more than 100 goals for the club, cementing his status as a central figure in Villa’s attacking strategy. His consistency and knack for finding the back of the net have made him a fan favourite and a valuable asset in the transfer market.
While Al Hilal focus on Watkins, Villa have also been active in the market. They maintain a long‑term interest in Chelsea forward Nicolas Jackson, a pursuit that remains open with only two weeks left in the transfer window. In addition, Villa have confirmed the arrivals of two new players: 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 across all competitions in the 2025/26 season, and Japan international goalkeeper Zion Suzuki, 23, who arrives from Parma for around £29.9 million after two years of experience in Italy. Sky Sports analyst Pat Rowe offered his perspective on Villa’s pre‑season narrative.
He noted that the gloom that settled over the club after 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 signings Joao Gomes and 17‑year‑old Brian Madjo impressed during the match, despite the eventual loss.
However, Rowe warned that manager Unai Emery faces another challenge: reports of injuries to both Gomes and Madjo as the team approaches its opening league fixture against Brighton. These injuries add to the list of absentees that already includes Amadou Onana and recent acquisition Johan Manzambi, further stretching the squad’s depth. The summer has been a period of considerable change at Villa Park.
Managing the exit of key players such as Watkins, whose future remains linked to a potential transfer, and dealing with the absence of others due to extended World Cup breaks, creates uncertainty around the starting eleven and overall team performance. The lack of a full pre‑season for veterans like Ezri Konsa and Watkins could lead to unexpected tactical adjustments and affect the team’s rhythm at the Amex Stadium. In summary, the negotiations between Al Hilal and Aston Villa over Ollie Watkins illustrate the complex interplay of player ambition, club finances, and squad planning. While the Saudi side aims to secure a proven Premier League striker to replace Benzema, Villa must balance the financial incentive of a sizable transfer fee with the sporting necessity of finding an adequate replacement.
The outcome of these talks will shape the upcoming season for both clubs, influencing their competitive prospects in domestic leagues, European competitions, and, for Al Hilal, the broader ambitions of Saudi football on the world stage.