Headline: Aston Villa Finalizes Ollie Watkins Transfer to Al-Hilal for Over £50 Million
Al-Hilal FC and Aston Villa have reached an agreement on the transfer of Ollie Watkins to Saudi Arabia, as reported by Belgian journalist Sacha Tavolieri. Aston Villa had previously hesitated to accept any offers until they secured a replacement, a condition that has now been fulfilled.
Watkins is set to travel to Riyadh in the upcoming days to finalize the details of his move, which will see the 30-year-old earn £15 million annually in the Saudi Pro League. After four unsuccessful bids and weeks of heightened anticipation, the much-anticipated transfer seems to be coming to fruition.
Aston Villa agree Ollie Watkins sale to Al-Hilal
From a sporting perspective, the departure of Watkins from Aston Villa might seem like a short-sighted decision. However, it is difficult to argue against the move. Last season, he had his best year yet, scoring 16 league goals and providing three assists in 37 Premier League appearances during the 2025/26 season. He also contributed five goals and two assists in 15 Europa League matches, culminating in Villa’s triumph in Istanbul. At 30 years of age, this represents his last genuine opportunity for a life-changing contract, making his decision understandable.
For Unai Emery, the way this has unfolded has not been ideal. Watkins publicly expressed his intention to leave and declined a four-year contract offer before missing the initial match of the season against Brighton due to his discontent. Although he has since returned to training and apologized to teammates, the rift seems significant.
This summer has already seen key departures from the squad that clinched a European title. Ezri Konsa moved to Arsenal, and Morgan Rogers joined Chelsea for a British record fee. With Youri Tielemans and Lucas Digne also leaving, losing Watkins, the club’s all-time Premier League top scorer, in the middle of a Champions League campaign is a tough blow. Nonetheless, retaining an unhappy player intent on departing would be detrimental. Villa needs to accept the offer from Al-Hilal, exceeding £50 million, and act swiftly.
A potential solution for the club could be Nicolas Jackson, who shares a similar playing style with Watkins, utilizing an effective pressing profile and excellent off-the-ball movement. At 25, Jackson has already demonstrated his familiarity with Emery’s tactics after a successful stint under him at Villarreal. After a loan spell at Bayern Munich that netted 11 goals last season, Aston Villa has initiated discussions regarding a £65 million permanent transfer. Given the existing rapport with Chelsea’s management, as seen from the recent dealings, this transfer could proceed quickly if the club shows interest.
Al-Hilal FC and Aston Villa have agreed a deal to transfer Ollie Watkins to Saudi Arabia, according to a report from Belgian journalist Sacha Tavolieri. Aston Villa had held back from accepting any proposal until a replacement was secured. That condition has now been met.
Aston Villa agree Ollie Watkins sale to Al-Hilal
Watkins will travel to Riyadh in the coming days to complete the formalities, with the 30-year-old set to earn £15 million per year in the Saudi Pro League. After four rejected bids and weeks of mounting tension at Villa Park, the transfer finally appears to have reached its conclusion.
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Honest opinion: A financially rational but sporting gamble
BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND – MAY 21: Ollie Watkins of Aston Villa celebrates on the bus during the Aston Villa trophy parade on May 21, 2026 in Birmingham, England. Aston Villa defeated SC Freiburg in the UEFA Europa League Final in Istanbul to claim their first European trophy in 44 years. (Photo by Cameron Smith/Getty Images)
From a purely sporting angle, Watkins leaving Aston Villa right now feels short-sighted. But it’s also almost impossible to argue against. He just finished the best season of his career with 16 league goals, three assists across 37 Premier League appearances in 2025/26, plus five goals and two assists in 15 Europa League matches that ended with Villa lifting the trophy in Istanbul. At 30, this is his last genuine shot at a life-altering contract. You can’t fault a man for taking it.
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For Unai Emery, though, the manner of it has been disastrous. Watkins rejected a four-year contract offer, made his desire to leave unmistakably public, and sat out the opening 4-0 hammering by Brighton. His subsequent return to training and apology to teammates softened the blow slightly, but the damage is done. Bridges don’t look singed; they look gone.
This summer has already gutted the squad that won Europe. Ezri Konsa went to Arsenal. Morgan Rogers joined Chelsea for a British record fee. Youri Tielemans and Lucas Digne are also gone. Losing Villa’s all-time Premier League top scorer on top of that, mid-Champions League campaign, is brutal. Holding onto a clearly unhappy forward who has no intention of staying would be worse, though. Villa must take whatever Al-Hilal put on the table north of £50 million and move fast.
The readymade answer is Nicolas Jackson. At 25, he replicates Watkins’ pressing profile and off-the-ball movement almost identically, and he already knows exactly how Emery operates after thriving under him at Villarreal. An 11-goal loan spell at Bayern Munich last season only added to that. Aston Villa have opened talks over a £65 million permanent deal, and given the existing relationship with Chelsea’s hierarchy, evidenced by the Rogers and Garnacho transfers, this one moves quickly if the club want it to.
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