Aston Villa are poised to enter the market for forward Nicolas Jackson should they agree to let Ollie Watkins join Saudi Arabian giants Al Hilal. According to sources at Sky Sports News, Chelsea have placed a £65 million valuation on Jackson, indicating the level of interest surrounding the England international.
Al Hilal are actively negotiating a deal for Watkins, who has expressed a desire to experience football in Saudi Arabia. The Saudi club have already seen one of their bids for the striker turned down; the initial offer was reported to be around £38.5 million.
While Villa would prefer to retain Watkins, Al Hilal are determined to secure the England forward, who notched 16 league goals last season and played a pivotal role in Villa's triumphant Europa League campaign. Across Europe, Atletico Madrid have also signaled interest in Jackson, though they appear to favour a loan arrangement rather than a permanent transfer. Chelsea, on the other hand, are looking for a full‑time sale after Jackson spent the previous season on loan at Bayern Munich, where he gained valuable experience in the Bundesliga. The relationship between Chelsea and Villa remains strong at senior levels.
The two Premier League clubs have already completed significant business this summer, most notably the record‑breaking transfer of Morgan Rogers and the move of Alejandro Garnacho to the claret‑and‑blue side. This existing rapport could smooth any future negotiations involving Jackson. Jackson’s connection with Villa manager Unai Emery runs deep; the pair previously worked together at Villarreal, where Emery first recognized the striker’s potential. This shared history adds another layer of intrigue to the possible transfer, as both men are familiar with each other's expectations and style of play.
In other Villa news, the club continues to promote its broadcast partnerships, encouraging fans to watch Premier League action live on mobile devices via Sky, or to explore streaming options for those without a traditional Sky subscription. The club’s Transfer Centre also remains active, providing updates on ongoing negotiations.
Emery addressed the situation in a pre‑match press conference before Villa’s clash with Brighton, stating: "We have an issue with him, it is clear. We received offers, but he remains our player. I am not keen to sell, although the decision could change if it benefits the player, the club, and we can find an adequate replacement.
He is a fantastic striker, and we have always backed him." He added, "There are ten days left in the transfer window, and we will see how things unfold. He is our player and I am satisfied with his contributions." When questioned about whether Watkins had formally requested a move, Emery replied, "I don't know; perhaps you have more information than us! Football is evolving.
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 Benzema’s contract and facilitate his departure. Watkins' impressive tally of 16 league goals 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 a separate development, Emery confirmed that goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez is contemplating a new challenge elsewhere. Villa recently secured Japanese international Zion Suzuki from Parma, while a prospective move for Martínez to Juventus fell through.
Although Martínez remains at Villa for now, Emery hinted that his future is still under discussion. "We have two excellent keepers," Emery said. "We signed Suzuki not just for the future but for the present; he has proven his ability to perform at our level. Martínez has expressed a desire for a new challenge, both this year and previously, but he stayed and performed brilliantly.
This year he reiterated his wish for a fresh challenge, which is why we brought in Suzuki as an alternative. At the moment we have two top‑class goalkeepers, and we will see what happens." Overall, Villa find themselves at a crossroads.
Retaining Watkins would preserve a proven goal‑scorer, yet the lucrative offer from Al Hilal could provide financial flexibility to pursue other targets, including Jackson. Meanwhile, the club must also manage the potential departure of Martínez and integrate Suzuki into the squad. The next ten days will be crucial as the transfer window draws to a close, and the decisions made now will shape Villa’s ambitions for the upcoming season and beyond.