Aston Villa appear poised to enter the market for forward Nicolas Jackson should they agree to let Ollie Watkins join Saudi Arabian side Al Hilal. According to sources at Sky Sports News, Chelsea have placed a £65 million valuation on Jackson, reflecting his rising stock after a productive loan spell at Bayern Munich.
Al Hilal have been in active negotiations for Watkins, who has expressed a desire to move to the Kingdom. The Saudi club have already submitted at least one offer that Villa turned down, with the initial bid hovering around £38.5 million.
Despite Villa’s reluctance to part with their star striker, Al Hilal remain determined to secure the England international, who notched 16 Premier League goals last season and played a pivotal role in Villa’s successful Europa League campaign. Meanwhile, Atletico Madrid have also signaled interest in Jackson, though they seem to prefer a temporary arrangement rather than a full purchase. Chelsea, on the other hand, are keen on a permanent transfer, having watched Jackson develop during his loan stint with Bayern.
The two English clubs share a strong working relationship at senior levels, having already completed notable deals this summer, including the record‑breaking transfer of Morgan Rogers and the move of Alejandro Garnacho to the Villa shirt. Jackson’s connection to Villa manager Unai Emery runs deep; both previously worked together at Villarreal, which adds an extra layer of familiarity to any potential deal. The club’s latest transfer updates continue to generate buzz among supporters, especially as the window draws to a close.
In related news, fans can stay connected via Sky Sports, either through the traditional satellite service or via streaming options that require no long‑term contract. The Transfer Centre provides live updates on all the latest moves. Emery addressed the situation surrounding Watkins in a pre‑match press conference before Villa’s clash with Brighton. "We have an issue with him, it is clear," he said, acknowledging that offers have been made for the striker.
"He is our player. I don’t want to sell him, but it could change if it benefits him, the club, and if we can find a suitable replacement." He continued, "He is here and is a fantastic striker. We have always believed in him and supported him." When questioned about 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." Watkins, now 30, is being linked as a potential successor to Karim Benzema at Al Hilal, with the Saudi side also exploring ways to resolve the Frenchman’s contract situation to facilitate his departure. Watkins’ impressive tally of 16 league goals this season helped Villa clinch the Europa League title and secure another season of Champions League football, and he has also been named in England’s squad for the 2026 World Cup. In addition to the forward market, Villa are also dealing with goalkeeper uncertainties.
Emery confirmed that Emiliano Martínez is contemplating a new challenge elsewhere. The club recently secured Japanese international goalkeeper Zion Suzuki from Parma, after a proposed move for Martínez to Juventus fell through. While Martínez remains at Villa for the moment, Emery hinted that his future is still under review.
"We have two excellent keepers," Emery remarked. "We signed Suzuki not just for the future, but for the present. He has shown he can perform at our level." He added, "Martínez has expressed a desire for a new challenge, both last year and now again this season. He performed brilliantly for us, but his ambition to explore other opportunities remains.
We brought in Suzuki as a replacement, yet we now have two top‑class goalkeepers. Time will tell what happens." Overall, Aston Villa find themselves at a crossroads. The potential departure of Watkins could trigger a chain reaction, prompting the club to pursue Jackson as a direct replacement.
With Chelsea’s high valuation, Atletico’s loan interest, and the solid rapport between Villa and Chelsea, the upcoming weeks promise intense negotiations. Fans will be watching closely as the transfer window inches toward its final ten days, hoping for clarity on both the forward and goalkeeper situations.
The club’s strategic decisions in this period will shape its squad composition for the next season, influencing their ability to compete on multiple fronts, including the Premier League, the Europa League, and potentially the Champions League. As the deadline approaches, all eyes remain on Villa’s board, Emery’s statements, and the evolving offers from Al Hilal, Atletico, and other interested parties.