Aston Villa have reached an agreement to transfer forward Ollie Watkins to Saudi Arabian side Al Hilal, and the club are already planning his replacement by securing the services of Chelsea attacker Nicolas Jackson. The reported fee for Watkins is around £50 million, while the deal to bring Jackson to Villa could rise to as much as £65 million, depending on add‑ons and performance clauses. Watkins appears eager to embark on a new chapter in Saudi Arabia, and Villa had previously turned down at least one offer for the England international.
After initially resisting the idea of parting with their prolific striker, the club have now accepted Al Hilal's latest bid, signalling a willingness to cash in on the forward's market value. Chelsea, meanwhile, have spent the summer looking to off‑load two of their promising forwards: Nicolas Jackson and Liam Delap. Jackson, who arrived at Stamford Bridge from Villarreal in 2023, spent the 2023‑24 season on loan at Bayern Munich.
The German champions had an obligation to purchase him for roughly £56.25 million, but the clause was contingent on a minimum number of appearances, which Jackson failed to meet, allowing Chelsea to retain his registration. The Blues are also aware of interest from other European clubs, most notably Atletico Madrid, who have expressed a desire to sign Jackson.
However, Atletico may struggle to match the financial package that Villa is prepared to offer, especially given the personal connection between Jackson and Villa manager Unai Emery – the two previously worked together at Villarreal, forging a professional relationship that could ease Jackson's integration into the Premier League. In addition to the Jackson deal, Villa have been active on the transfer market in other areas.
Reports from Sky in Italy suggest that the club have made an approach for Milan winger Rafael Leão, indicating that Villa are looking to bolster their attacking options further. The proposed fee for Leão is said to be up to £38.5 million, a figure that would make the deal competitive with Galatasaray's recent offer for the Portugal international, which also sits at £38.5 million plus potential add‑ons. The broader transfer landscape continues to buzz with activity. Among the notable moves and rumors are: - Johan Manzambi moving from Freiburg for £59.5 million; - Joao Gomes heading to Wolves for £38 million; - Zion Suzuki transferring to Parma for £29.9 million; - Matteo Ruggeri joining Atletico Madrid for £21.4 million; - Alejandro Garnacho heading on loan to Chelsea; - Aaron Wan‑Bissaka moving on loan to West Ham; - Modou Keba Cissa transferring to LASK for an undisclosed fee; - Blade Earley joining Cambridge on a free transfer.
Other high‑profile names linked with moves include Morgan Rogers, whose valuation has reportedly reached £117 million, and Ezri Konsa, who could command £55 million for a switch to Arsenal. Younger talents such as Lewis Dobbin and Enzo Barrenechea are also in the mix, each with price tags around £10 million. The transfer window also sees a flurry of loan deals and free transfers, with players like Samuel Iling‑Junior, Evann Guessand, Sam Proctor, and Joe Gauci heading to clubs on temporary moves.
Several players have been released from their contracts, including Elijah Briscoe, I‑Lani Edwards, Jacob Green, Calum Moreland, Charlie Pavey, Cole Ramsey, and Kerr Smith, making them free agents. Overall, Aston Villa's strategy appears to be one of reinvestment: cashing in on Watkins while targeting a proven Premier League talent in Jackson, and potentially adding further quality with a bid for Leão. The club aims to maintain a competitive edge in the league by refreshing its attacking lineup, ensuring that the departure of a key striker does not leave a void.
Fans can stay updated on the latest developments through Sky Sports' various platforms, including the mobile app, WhatsApp updates, and live transfer centre feeds. The club also encourages supporters to engage with interactive features such as the Super 6 competition, offering a chance to win £1 million. In summary, the impending departure of Ollie Watkins to Al Hilal marks a significant shift for Villa, but the club's proactive pursuit of Nicolas Jackson—potentially a £65 million acquisition—demonstrates a clear intent to remain competitive.
Additional targets like Rafael Leão further underline Villa's ambition to refresh their squad and challenge for higher league positions in the upcoming season.