Al Hilal are actively negotiating with Aston Villa in an attempt to secure the services of striker Ollie Watkins, who has expressed a strong desire to make the move. According to Sky Sports News, the Saudi Arabian club has already had a €45 million (£38.5 million) proposal turned down by Villa, but talks are still underway as both parties search for a mutually acceptable arrangement.
A key element of the discussion is Villa's need to replace Watkins should he depart. The club’s willingness to let the forward leave will likely hinge on whether a suitable successor can be identified and signed in time for the upcoming season. This replacement factor is expected to play a significant role in the final decision.
Watkins, now 30, is being positioned by Al Hilal as a potential successor to French star Karim Benzema. The Saudi side is also working behind the scenes to untangle Benzema’s contractual situation, hoping to create a pathway for the Frenchman to exit the club. Benzema joined Al Hilal from 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 an impressive campaign in which he netted sixteen league goals for Aston Villa, playing a pivotal role in the club’s Europa League triumph and securing another season of Champions League football. His performances also earned him a place in England’s squad for the 2026 World Cup, further raising his profile on the international stage. Since his arrival from Brentford in 2020, the 30‑year‑old has become one of Villa’s most important attacking assets, amassing over one hundred goals for the club across all competitions.
His consistent goal‑scoring record and experience in European competitions make him an attractive target for clubs seeking a proven striker. While Al Hilal focus on Watkins, Villa have also been pursuing other transfer targets. The club maintains a long‑term interest in Chelsea forward Nicolas Jackson, a pursuit that remains active with only two weeks left in the transfer window.
In addition, Villa have confirmed the signings of two promising youngsters: Matteo Ruggeri, a 24‑year‑old former Italy U21 left‑back who arrives from Atletico Madrid for £21.4 million after making 47 appearances in all competitions last season, and Japan international goalkeeper Zion Suzuki, 23, who joins from Parma for £29.9 million after two years in Italy. Sky Sports analyst Pat Rowe offered his perspective on Villa’s pre‑season developments.
He noted that the generally gloomy mood surrounding the departure of Morgan Rogers and Youri Tielemans was briefly lifted by Villa’s spirited performance against Paris Saint‑Germain in the UEFA Super Cup final. New signing João Gomes and 17‑year‑old Brian Madjo impressed during pre‑season and again against PSG, despite the eventual loss.
However, Rowe warned that manager Unai Emery faces another setback as reports of injuries to both Gomes and Madjo have surfaced ahead of the season‑opening clash with Brighton. These injuries will add the likes of Amadou Onana and recent acquisition Johan Manzambi to the growing list of sidelined players.
The summer has been a period of significant change at Villa Park, with the club juggling key departures, new arrivals, and injury concerns. The lack of a full pre‑season for veterans such as Ezri Konsa and Ollie Watkins—who have been linked with moves away—due to extended World Cup breaks further complicates matters.
Consequently, the starting eleven and overall team performance could see unexpected variations when the Amex Stadium hosts its first competitive matches of the campaign. In summary, Al Hilal remain determined to bring Watkins to Saudi Arabia, viewing him as a viable replacement for Benzema while simultaneously working on the French striker’s contract issues. Aston Villa, on the other hand, must balance the potential loss of a key goal scorer with the need to secure adequate replacements, all while navigating a busy transfer window and coping with injury setbacks.
The outcome of these negotiations will shape the early narrative of both clubs’ upcoming seasons.