Aston Villa Brace for Al-Hilal's Push for Ollie Watkins
Aston Villa are braced for another push from Al-Hilal for Ollie Watkins after knocking back an offer worth close to £40m for their talismanic striker.
The Saudi club have not gone away. They want Villa’s all-time Premier League goalscorer, a forward who has hit double figures in each of his six top-flight seasons since arriving from Brentford and who remains central to Unai Emery’s plans.
Watkins, 30, has two years left on his contract, which keeps Villa in a position of strength but also sharpens the decision. Cashing in on a key England international would rip a hole through Emery’s attack. It would also open the door to a major reshaping of the frontline.
Emery’s Wishlist
One name sits high on Emery’s wishlist: Nicolas Jackson. The Villa head coach is a long-term admirer of the Chelsea striker and views him as a potential successor if Watkins leaves. But Chelsea’s £65m valuation looms large. At that price, any move is effectively on ice unless Villa generate significant funds elsewhere.
That financial reality underpins Villa’s entire window. Inside the club there is a clear understanding: any big-name arrival before the deadline will almost certainly have to follow another major sale to keep within the Premier League’s financial rules.
Transfers and Departures
Emery has already overseen a dramatic overhaul. Morgan Rogers, Youri Tielemans and Lucas Digne have all departed, joining Chelsea, Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain respectively. Rogers’ exit, in a deal worth £117m, has made him the most expensive British player of all time and given Villa substantial room to manoeuvre, even if that space is quickly being used.
The most symbolic change has come in goal. Zion Suzuki has arrived from Parma in a £30m move to replace Emiliano Martínez, whose future remains unresolved. When Suzuki makes his debut, he will become the first Japanese goalkeeper to play in the Premier League, a landmark moment wrapped inside Villa’s wider rebuild.
At the back, Villa have paid £17m to prise Matteo Ruggeri from Atlético Madrid, adding energy and balance on the flank. Talks continue with Bayern Munich over João Palhinha, as Emery targets a proven midfield anchor, and with West Ham over Aaron Wan-Bissaka to reinforce the right side of defence.
The spending has not stopped there. Johan Manzambi has joined from Freiburg for a club-record £52m, a statement signing in the heart of the team, while Joao Gomes has arrived from Wolves for £38m to add bite and legs in midfield.
All of that points to more movement. Villa are actively looking for a new club for Martínez as they clear the way for Suzuki. Arsenal, meanwhile, remain keen on Ezri Konsa, whose consistency and versatility have not gone unnoticed in north London.
So the window now hangs on one pivotal question: can Villa keep Watkins at the centre of Emery’s project, or will Al-Hilal’s next offer force the kind of decision that reshapes the club’s season before a ball is even kicked?
