Fabrizio Romano reveals £65m Ollie Watkins replacement as Aston Villa striker weighs surprise transfer

Al-Hilal are increasingly confident of signing Ollie Watkins from Aston Villa in the coming days, with the England striker reportedly open to a move to Saudi Arabia. However, the Saudi giants are expected to see their opening offer rejected, while Unai Emery has already identified a potential replacement for the forward.

Watkins joined Villa from Brentford in the summer of 2020 for an initial £28m and has since established himself as one of the club's leading forwards, scoring 108 goals in 278 appearances.

The 30-year-old has flourished under Emery and enjoyed his most productive campaign in the Midlands last season, finding the net 21 times in 55 appearances as Villa ended a 30-year wait for a major trophy by winning the Europa League.

Reports on Tuesday indicated that Al-Hilal had become confident of completing a deal for Watkins after opening discussions with his representatives.

The Saudi club had also held talks concerning Harry Kane and Victor Osimhen, but Watkins has emerged as their leading target after indications that Villa would consider selling for an acceptable fee.

Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has now provided further details, saying Watkins is receptive to the move and that Villa are prepared to listen to offers.

“Al-Hilal from Saudi Arabia have sent an official bid to Aston Villa worth, according to my information, a €45m package for Ollie Watkins. That’s a very interesting story because now Al-Hilal are going very strong for Ollie Watkins,” he said.

“The €45m includes add-ons, so it’s a total package of €45m (£38.5m, $52m). My understanding is that Aston Villa want more to get the deal done, but this is the third time Al-Hilal have approached them. Al-Hilal are expected to continue this negotiation.”

Romano also suggested that the striker's motivation for considering a move is partly financial.

“My understanding is that the player wants the move. Ollie Watkins is open to going to Saudi Arabia. He believes that this could be an opportunity financially.”

Villa demand more as Watkins considers Saudi switch

Should Villa agree to part ways with Watkins, Al-Hilal are likely to have to improve their initial proposal to persuade the Premier League club to sell.

Romano said the current package does not meet Villa's valuation, although negotiations remain active.

“It’s also a very big club in Saudi Arabia, so it’s not a normal club. Al-Hilal is a really, really important club. Watkins is keen on the move, and Aston Villa are negotiating.

“At the moment, the €45m package is still not enough to convince Aston Villa, but the negotiation is still ongoing. The situation is open.”

If Watkins does leave, Villa could turn to Nicolas Jackson as his replacement. Villa have previously shown an interest in the Chelsea forward, with Emery keen to work with the Senegal international again after their time together at Villarreal.

Reports had already indicated that Emery wanted Jackson this summer, alongside his interest in Alejandro Garnacho, who has since completed his move to Villa Park.

Chelsea are understood to be willing to sell Jackson but want at least £65m for the striker, a valuation of around €76m or $88m.

Romano has now backed up reports linking Jackson with a move to Villa.

“If Ollie Watkins goes to Al-Hilal, one of the names under consideration, not the only one, is Nicolas Jackson,” Romano added.

“Jackson was a target for Aston Villa already in summer 2025. Unai Emery used to work with Nico Jackson at Villarreal, and the connection between them is very good.

“Aston Villa share a very good relationship with Chelsea. Don’t forget the Morgan Rogers deal and don’t forget the Alejandro Garnacho deal, so the relationship is very good.

“Nico Jackson could be a target for Aston Villa. Remember that Jackson to Aston Villa could only happen on a permanent transfer because Villa cannot loan another player from Chelsea due to Premier League regulations.”

Villa have already conducted significant transfer business with Chelsea this summer, with Garnacho and Morgan Rogers involved in deals between the two clubs.

Elsewhere, reports from Italy suggest Villa have also made enquiries about the availability of an AC Milan striker as Emery considers his options to replace Watkins.

The potential departure of Watkins would therefore trigger another major change to Villa's attack, with Emery now assessing several possibilities as Al-Hilal continue their pursuit of the England forward.