Aston Villa have reached an agreement to transfer their England striker Ollie Watkins to Saudi Arabian side Al Hilal, and the club are already preparing a replacement by turning their attention to Chelsea forward Nicolas Jackson. The reported fee for Watkins is around £50 million, while the potential deal for Jackson could rise to as much as £65 million, depending on add‑ons and performance clauses.
Watkins has expressed enthusiasm about moving to Saudi Arabia, and although Villa initially turned down an earlier offer, they have now accepted Al Hilal's latest bid. The English international had previously been the subject of speculation, but the club’s stance changed after the Saudi side presented a financially attractive package that met Villa’s valuation. Chelsea, on the other hand, have been planning a summer overhaul that includes off‑loading both Nicolas Jackson and young striker Liam Delap. The Blues see the sale of Jackson as a way to generate significant funds while also reshaping their attacking options.
In addition to Villa, Atletico Madrid have shown interest in the 23‑year‑old, but they may struggle to match the financial terms that Villa can offer, especially given Villa’s willingness to meet the player’s wage demands. Jackson’s connection to Villa goes back to his time at Villarreal, where he worked under Unai Emery, the current Villa manager. The two first met when Emery was in charge at the Spanish club and Jackson was a promising forward there.
That prior relationship is likely to smooth Jackson’s transition to the Premier League, as Emery already knows the player’s strengths, work ethic, and tactical fit. The Chelsea forward joined the London club from Villarreal in the summer of 2023. After a season of limited opportunities at Stamford Bridge, he spent the 2023‑24 campaign on loan at Bayern Munich. The German champions inserted an obligation‑to‑buy clause in the loan agreement, valued at roughly £56.25 million, but Jackson failed to meet the appearance threshold required to trigger the permanent transfer.
Consequently, he returned to Chelsea, making him available for a move this summer. Beyond the Watkins‑Jackson swap, Villa have been active in the wider transfer market.
According to reports from Sky in Italy, Villa have submitted a bid for Milan winger Rafael Leão. The proposed package is said to be worth up to £38.5 million, which would make it a competitive offer compared with Galatasaray’s parallel pursuit of the Portugal international. Galatasaray’s proposal reportedly includes a base fee of £38.5 million plus various add‑ons, putting them marginally ahead in the race for Leão. The club’s scouting network continues to identify talent across Europe, with a long list of potential targets and outgoing players circulating in the media.
Some of the notable names mentioned in recent transfer rumours include: - Johan Manzambi (Freiburg) – valuation around £59.5 million - Joao Gomes (Wolves) – £38 million - Zion Suzuki (Parma) – £29.9 million - Matteo Ruggeri (Atletico Madrid) – £21.4 million - Alejandro Garnacho (Chelsea) – loan move being considered - Aaron Wan‑Bissaka (West Ham) – potential loan - Modou Keba Cissa (LASK) – undisclosed fee - Blade Earley (Cambridge) – free transfer - Morgan Rogers (Chelsea) – £117 million valuation - Ezri Konsa (Arsenal) – £55 million - Youri Tielemans (Manchester United) – £35 million - Donyell Malen (Roma) – £21.6 million - Lewis Dobbin (Southampton) – £10 million - Enzo Barrenechea (Benfica) – £10 million - Lucas Digne (Paris Saint‑Germain) – £8.5 million In addition to these high‑profile names, a series of loan moves and free transfers have been listed, indicating the club’s strategy to trim the squad and free up wages. Players such as Samuel Iling‑Junior, Evann Guessand, Sam Proctor, and several others are set to leave on loan, while a handful of fringe players have been released from their contracts.
The broader context of these transactions reflects the changing financial landscape of European football. Saudi clubs, backed by substantial state‑linked investment, are increasingly able to offer lucrative packages that attract established Premier League talent. For Villa, the Watkins sale not only brings a sizable windfall but also allows the club to reinvest in younger, potentially high‑upside players like Jackson, who brings Premier League experience and a proven goal‑scoring record from his time in Spain and Germany.
If the Jackson deal goes through, Villa will benefit from a forward who can operate across the front line, offering pace, technical ability, and a keen eye for goal. His familiarity with Emery’s tactical system could accelerate his integration, helping Villa to maintain their attacking threat after Watkins’ departure.
Moreover, the financial terms of the Jackson transfer—potentially up to £65 million—would provide the club with additional resources to strengthen other areas of the squad, whether through permanent signings or strategic loan deals. In summary, Aston Villa have secured a £50 million transfer for Ollie Watkins to Al Hilal, and they are preparing to replace him with Nicolas Jackson, whose move could be worth up to £65 million. The club’s broader transfer activity includes a bid for Rafael Leão and a long list of both incoming and outgoing players, underscoring a busy summer window aimed at reshaping the squad for the upcoming Premier League campaign.