Aston Villa appear poised to enter the market for forward Nicolas Jackson if they manage to offload Ollie Watkins to Saudi Arabian side Al Hilal. According to sources at Sky Sports News, Chelsea have placed a valuation of roughly £65 million on Jackson, signalling that the London club would expect a substantial fee for the talented attacker.
Al Hilal are currently in advanced negotiations over Watkins, who has expressed a strong desire to experience football in Saudi Arabia. The Saudi giants have already submitted at least one offer for the England international, which was turned down. Their initial bid hovered around £38.5 million, and they remain determined to secure his signature.
While Villa would rather retain Watkins, Al Hilal are pressing hard for the striker who netted 16 league goals last season and played a pivotal role in Aston Villa’s triumph in the Europa League. The club’s ambition is to replace the departing French forward Karim Benzema, whose future at Al Hilal remains uncertain. Beyond the Saudi interest, Atletico Madrid have also shown curiosity in Jackson, though they seem to favour a loan arrangement rather than a permanent transfer. Chelsea, on the other hand, are keen on a full‑time deal after Jackson spent the previous season on loan at Bayern Munich, where he impressed with his versatility and work ethic.
Relations between Chelsea and Villa have historically been cordial at senior levels. This summer the two Premier League outfits already completed a high‑profile swap involving Morgan Rogers and Alejandro Garnacho, a deal that broke previous records for the clubs. Such a cooperative backdrop could smooth any potential negotiations for Jackson.
Jackson’s connection to Villa’s manager, Unai Emery, runs deep. Both men worked together at Villarreal, forging a professional bond that could influence future transfer discussions.
Emery’s familiarity with Jackson’s strengths and temperament may make the prospect of a sale more nuanced. In recent press conferences, Emery has been candid about the situation surrounding Watkins. Speaking before a match against Brighton, he said, “We have an issue with him, it is clear.
We received offers, but he remains our player. I don’t want to sell him, although that could change if the right opportunity arises for the player, the club, and if we can find an adequate replacement.” Emery emphasized that Watkins is a “fantastic striker” and that the club has always supported him.
When asked whether Watkins had formally requested a move, Emery replied, “I don’t know, maybe you have more information than us! Football is changing. The players are professionals and Watkins is our player.” He added that there were ten days left in the transfer window, indicating that decisions could still evolve rapidly.
Watkins, now 30, is being linked not only with Al Hilal but also as a potential replacement for Benzema, whose contract situation is still being negotiated. Al Hilal’s pursuit of Watkins follows a stellar campaign in which he scored 16 Premier League goals, helped Villa clinch the Europa League, and secured a place in the Champions League for the following season.
His performances also earned him a spot in England’s squad for the 2026 World Cup. Goalkeeping rumors have also surfaced at Villa. Emery disclosed that Emiliano Martínez is contemplating a new challenge elsewhere, prompting the club to sign Japanese keeper Zion Suzuki from Parma earlier in the summer. A potential move to Juventus for Martínez fell through, leaving the Argentine goalkeeper at Villa for now.
Emery noted, “We have two excellent keepers. Suzuki was signed not just for the future but for the present; he has proven he can perform at our level.” He further explained that Martínez has expressed a desire for a fresh challenge both last season and this year, but has remained committed and delivered strong performances. The club now possesses a strong goalkeeper duo and will assess the situation as it unfolds.
Overall, Villa’s transfer strategy appears to hinge on a delicate balance: retaining key attacking talent while possibly capitalizing on a lucrative sale to Al Hilal. Should Watkins depart, the club would likely turn its attention to Jackson, whose market value aligns with Villa’s financial expectations and whose familiarity with Emery could ease the transition. The coming weeks will be crucial as the transfer window closes, and fans can expect further developments on both the forward and goalkeeper fronts.