Aston Villa are reportedly preparing to act for forward Nicolas Jackson should they agree to let Ollie Watkins join Saudi Arabian giants Al Hilal. Sky Sports News has learned that Chelsea place a £65 million price tag on Jackson, reflecting his high standing after a successful loan spell at Bayern Munich.
Al Hilal continue to negotiate for Watkins, who has expressed a desire to move to the Saudi league. The Saudi club have already turned down at least one offer for the England international, with their initial bid hovering around £38.5 million. Although Villa would prefer to retain Watkins, Al Hilal are determined to secure his signature after he netted 16 Premier League goals last season and played a pivotal role in Villa’s Europa League triumph. Atletico Madrid have also entered the race for Jackson, though they appear to favour a temporary loan arrangement rather than a permanent transfer.
Chelsea, on the other hand, are insistent on a full sale, having watched Jackson develop during his loan stint with Bayern. The relationship between Chelsea and Villa remains strong at senior levels. The two clubs have already completed significant business this summer, most notably the record‑breaking swap that saw Morgan Rogers head to Villa while Alejandro Garnacho moved in the opposite direction to the Blues.
This cooperative spirit could smooth any future negotiations involving Jackson. Jackson’s connection to Villa’s current manager, Unai Emery, runs deep. Both men previously worked together at Villarreal, where Emery first recognised the young striker’s potential. That shared history may make the prospect of a Villa‑Jackson deal more appealing for both parties.
Recent Villa news includes a reminder that fans can watch Premier League matches live on their mobile devices via Sky, or explore Sky’s latest streaming offers if they do not have a traditional subscription. The club’s transfer activity remains a hot topic on the Transfer Centre Live platform. Emery addressed the situation in a pre‑match press conference before Villa’s clash with Brighton. "We have an issue with him, it is clear," he said, referring to the ongoing speculation around Watkins.
"We received offers, but he is our player. I don’t want to sell him, although that could change if the deal benefits the player, the club, and 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, and he has delivered." With just ten days left in the summer transfer window, Emery hinted that decisions could still be made, emphasizing his satisfaction with the current squad. When pressed 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, which is also seeking a resolution to the French striker’s contract situation to allow his departure.
Al Hilal’s pursuit of Watkins follows a season where he scored 16 league goals, helped Villa clinch the Europa League, and secured another campaign in the Champions League. His performances also earned him a place in England’s provisional squad for the 2026 World Cup. In addition to the forward’s saga, Emery disclosed that goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez is contemplating a new challenge elsewhere. Villa recently secured Japanese keeper Zion Suzuki from Parma, while a proposed move for Martínez to Juventus fell through.
Martínez remains at Villa for now, but Emery admitted the club will monitor his intentions closely. "We have two excellent keepers," Emery affirmed. "We signed Suzuki not just for the future, but for the present.
He has proven his ability to compete at our level." He added, "Martínez has expressed a desire for a fresh challenge, both this year and previously. He performed brilliantly after staying, but his ambition to explore new opportunities persists. We brought in Suzuki as an alternative, yet we now possess two top‑class goalkeepers. We will see what unfolds." Overall, Villa find themselves at a crossroads.
Retaining Watkins could keep their attacking firepower intact, but a lucrative deal with Al Hilal might free up funds to chase Jackson, a proven Premier League talent with a £65 million valuation. Simultaneously, the club must manage the goalkeeper situation, balancing the experience of Martínez with the promise of Suzuki. As the transfer window draws to a close, fans can expect decisive moves that will shape Villa’s ambitions for the upcoming season and beyond.