Aston Villa are poised to act for forward Nicolas Jackson if they manage to offload Ollie Watkins to Saudi Arabian giants Al Hilal. According to sources at Sky Sports News, Chelsea have placed a £65 million valuation on Jackson, reflecting his rising stock after a season of impressive performances. Al Hilal are already engaged in negotiations for Watkins, who has expressed a desire to experience football in Saudi Arabia, and they have already seen one of their offers turned down. Their initial proposal reportedly hovered around £38.5 million.
While Villa would prefer to retain Watkins, Al Hilal are pressing hard to secure the England striker, who netted 16 league goals last campaign and played a pivotal role in Villa's victorious Europa League run. Meanwhile, Atletico Madrid have also entered the picture for Jackson, although they appear to favour a loan arrangement rather than a permanent deal. Chelsea, on the other hand, are insistent on a full transfer, having watched Jackson develop during his loan spell at Bayern Munich last season.
The relationship between Chelsea and Aston Villa remains strong at senior levels, with the two clubs already completing significant business this summer. Notably, the record-breaking transfer of Morgan Rogers and the move of Alejandro Garnacho to the claret and blue side were concluded under this cooperative framework. Jackson also shares a personal connection with Villa manager Unai Emery, as both worked together at Villarreal earlier in their careers.
In recent statements, Emery addressed the situation surrounding Watkins ahead of Villa's match against Brighton. "We have an issue with him, it is clear," he said in the pre‑match press conference broadcast live on Sky Sports.
"We received offers for him, but he is our player. I don't want to sell him, although that could change if it benefits him, the club, and we can find a suitable replacement.
"He is here and he is a fantastic striker. We have always believed in him and supported him, and he has delivered," Emery added.
He emphasized that the transfer window closes in ten days, leaving the final decision open. 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 club also exploring ways to resolve Benzema's contract and facilitate his departure. Al Hilal's interest in Watkins stems from his prolific season, during which he not only helped Villa clinch the Europa League but also secured another Champions League berth for the club. His performances earned him a place in England's squad for the 2026 World Cup.
Emery also touched on the situation with goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez, suggesting the Argentine keeper is contemplating a new challenge. Villa have already secured Japanese international Zion Suzuki from Parma this summer, after a potential move for Martínez to Juventus fell through. While Martínez remains at Villa for now, Emery hinted that the goalkeeper's future is still under discussion.
"We have two excellent keepers," Emery remarked. "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 again indicated he wants a new challenge, and we brought in Suzuki as a replacement. However, the reality is that we now have two great goalkeepers, and we will see what happens." The broader transfer landscape suggests that Villa could be forced into a difficult decision. If Al Hilal's £38.5 million (or potentially higher) bid for Watkins is accepted, Villa would lose a key goal‑scoring asset.
In that scenario, the club would likely accelerate their pursuit of Jackson, who could fill the void left by Watkins. Jackson's £65 million price tag is steep, but Villa have shown willingness to invest heavily in talent, as evidenced by their recent signings and the collaborative relationship with Chelsea. Atletico Madrid's interest adds another layer of complexity.
While a loan deal might be more financially manageable for Villa, Chelsea's demand for a permanent transfer could limit options. Should Chelsea hold firm, Villa may need to negotiate a loan with an option to buy, balancing immediate squad needs with long-term financial prudence. In summary, Aston Villa stand at a crossroads. The club must decide whether to retain Watkins and risk missing out on a lucrative Saudi offer, or to sell him and immediately reinvest in a high‑profile forward like Nicolas Jackson.
The next ten days will be crucial, as the transfer window draws to a close and the club's strategic direction for the upcoming season becomes clearer.