Ollie Watkins has officially completed a £50 million transfer from Aston Villa to Saudi Arabian giants Al Hilal, bringing his six‑year spell at Villa Park to a close. During his time at the English club, Watkins found the back of the net 108 times in 278 appearances across all competitions, establishing himself as one of the Premier League’s most reliable forwards.
His final outing in the Villa shirt came in May, when he helped the team secure a 3‑0 victory over Freiburg in the Europa League final, a win that ended a 44‑year drought for a European trophy. After the match, the striker posted a heartfelt message on Instagram: “Six amazing years has come to an end. Thank you for the amazing memories and always supporting me through highs and lows. Saying goodbye is never easy to this club as it's been a massive part of my life on and off the pitch.
Once a villain, always a villain.” Earlier in the season, manager Unai Emery disclosed that Watkins had offered an apology to his teammates after missing the opening‑week 4‑0 loss to Brighton. When asked about the striker’s absence, Emery initially replied, “Ask him. I can only answer that with silence.” He later clarified, “Watkins said sorry after Brighton. He made a mistake.
He has always behaved well at the club and with me. He’s a fantastic guy. I told him ‘bye’, with a huge hug and a small cry.” Villa have already moved to fill the void left by Watkins, signing Nicolas Jackson for a club‑record fee that could rise to £65 million.
Meanwhile, Exeter City released a statement confirming that they expect to receive a payment as a result of Watkins’ move to Al Hilal. The club, where Watkins began his career, argues that they are entitled to a sell‑on percentage under FIFA’s solidarity mechanism, which distributes a portion of any transfer fee to clubs that trained the player between the ages of 12 and 23. Watkins joined Exeter’s academy at 11, made his senior debut in 2014 and left for Brentford in 2017. Exeter’s statement noted that the exact timing and structure of the payment remain confidential, but any funds received will be used to safeguard the club’s long‑term future.
In a separate development, Aston Villa have reached an agreement in principle with Southampton for the acquisition of centre‑back Taylor Harwood‑Bellis. The deal is reported to be worth around £30 million, comprising a guaranteed £25 million fee plus £5 million in performance‑related add‑ons. Harwood‑Bellis, 24, has logged 134 appearances for the Saints since arriving from Manchester City and has earned a single England cap, scoring in that appearance in 2024. The defender is expected to plug the gap left by Ezri Konsa, who departed for Arsenal earlier this summer.
Watkins’ transfer to Al Hilal marks a growing trend of high‑profile Premier League players moving to the Saudi league, attracted by lucrative contracts and the chance to experience a new footballing culture. Al Hilal, one of the most successful clubs in Asia, will benefit from Watkins’ proven goal‑scoring record and his experience in European competition.
For Watkins, the move offers a fresh challenge and the opportunity to continue developing his game in a different environment. The reaction from Villa supporters has been mixed. While many fans expressed gratitude for Watkins’ contributions and wished him well on his new adventure, others lamented the loss of a player who had become a fan favourite.
Social media was awash with tributes, highlighting memorable moments such as his decisive goals against top‑six rivals and his role in the Europa League triumph. From a financial perspective, the £50 million fee received by Villa will be reinvested into the squad, as evidenced by the swift signing of Jackson. It also underscores the club’s willingness to capitalize on the market value of its assets while maintaining competitiveness in the Premier League.
Exeter City’s involvement illustrates the long‑term benefits of a robust youth development system. By securing a sell‑on clause and benefiting from the solidarity payment scheme, smaller clubs can generate significant revenue when their academy graduates reach the upper echelons of the game. Exeter’s statement emphasized transparency with supporters and a commitment to using any incoming funds to strengthen the club’s infrastructure and future prospects. Overall, the dual news of Watkins’ departure and Harwood‑Bellis’ arrival signals a period of transition for Aston Villa.
The club aims to balance the loss of a prolific striker with strategic reinforcements in defense, all while navigating the financial realities of modern football. As the summer transfer window continues, Villa supporters will be watching closely to see how the new signings integrate and whether the team can sustain its recent European success. The broader football landscape continues to evolve, with Saudi clubs increasingly attracting talent from Europe, and English clubs leveraging their academies and sell‑on clauses to secure financial stability.
Watkins’ journey from Exeter to Villa and now to Al Hilal exemplifies the global nature of the sport and the myriad pathways a professional footballer can take throughout his career.