Al Hilal in Talks with Aston Villa for Ollie Watkins Transfer

Al Hilal have opened talks with Aston Villa over a move for striker Ollie Watkins, testing the resolve of a club already braced for a turbulent start to the season.

The Saudi side have seen an initial bid rejected but remain at the table, with negotiations described as ongoing as they search for a formula Villa will accept. Watkins has been identified as a leading candidate to replace Karim Benzema, whose short stay at Al Hilal is in danger of ending far earlier than planned.

Benzema only arrived from Al Ittihad in February on an 18-month deal and made an immediate impact, scoring 10 goals in 15 games in Riyadh. Now his future is clouded by uncertainty as Al Hilal work on a way to resolve his contract and clear a path for his departure. Watkins is firmly in their sights as the man to step into that void.

The England forward comes off a standout campaign with Aston Villa, hitting 16 Premier League goals and driving Unai Emery’s side to Europa League glory and another season of Champions League football. His form also earned him a place in England’s 2026 World Cup squad, underlining his status among Europe’s leading forwards.

Since joining from Brentford in 2020, the 30-year-old has grown into one of Villa’s most important attacking figures, passing the 100-goal mark for the club and becoming central to Emery’s high-tempo, front-foot style. Losing him now would rip a sizeable hole in Villa’s plans just as the season looms.

Turbulent summer at Villa Park

The pursuit of Watkins lands in the middle of a restless summer at Villa Park. The mood around pre-season had already darkened after the exits of Morgan Rogers and Youri Tielemans, departures that stripped depth and experience from a squad preparing for the demands of domestic and European competition.

A spirited display against Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Super Cup final briefly lifted spirits. New signing Joao Gomes and 17-year-old Brian Madjo caught the eye again, backing up their promising pre-season form with fearless performances against elite opposition, even as Villa fell short on the night.

Then came another setback. Reports of injuries to both Gomes and Madjo have hit Emery’s plans just days before the Premier League opener against Brighton. They join Amadou Onana and new recruit Johan Manzambi on the sidelines, stretching resources in key areas before a ball has even been kicked in anger.

Against that backdrop, Al Hilal’s push for Watkins feels like the last thing Villa needed. With injuries mounting, key players already gone and Champions League nights on the horizon, the question now is stark: can Villa afford to cash in on their main striker, or does their entire season hinge on keeping him exactly where he is?